HEADLINES

Art Rooney II: Aaron Rodgers Wants To Play For Steelers

April 25th, 2025 at 10:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the third round of the NFL draft ongoing, Aaron Rodgers looms over the developing quarterback landscape. Connections to the Steelers continue as the team weighs a potential rookie addition.

Owner Art Rooney II said during a Friday appearance on Steelers Now that Rodgers does “want” to come to Pittsburgh (h/t ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). He added news on this long-running front may be coming soon as a result.

Team and player have remained in communication this week, with the Steelers obviously preferring to have clarity on whether or not Rodgers will sign prior to the start of the draft. It remains to be seen if the 41-year-old will play at all next year, but if he does a short Pittsburgh stint would come as no surprise given the interest shown in him. No timeline is in place, but a number of QB prospects are still on the board with the Steelers due to pick 83rd overall.

During his recent public comments on his situation, Rodgers said personal matters are currently receiving the bulk of his attention during his lengthy free agent stint. The four-time MVP has communicated to teams he is prepared to take a one-year deal in the $10MM range, an arrangement which would certainly leave the door open to the addition of a rookie. Rodgers is (at least publicly) on board with suitors moving forward with a QB draft pick, and it will be interesting to see if the Steelers do indeed go that route soon.

Pittsburgh was among the teams which had a first-round grade on Jaxson Dart, but the team turned down the opportunity to select him and instead took Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. Shedeur Sanders, meanwhile, remains on the board with the opening two rounds in the books. Head coach Mike Tomlin is believed to be a fan of Sanders, making him a potential target with the team’s third-rounder.

In any event, Rooney’s comments made it clear a rookie would not be expected to handle starting duties right away in 2025. The team has Mason Rudolph back in the fold for next season, and Rodgers would of course occupy the QB1 role in the event he were to take Pittsburgh’s long-standing offer. A long-term solution under center remains a logical goal, though.

“It’s going to be somebody that will be developing and may play down the road,” Rooney said (via Alan Saunders of Steelers Now). “It’s not like somebody that’s going to have a big impact on this season.”

The Steelers have made it clear they will enter training camp with four quarterbacks, two more than they currently have. Rodgers is obviously still in play to join the team at some point as the wait continues with respect to seeing Pittsburgh’s draft plans.

Seahawks Draft QB Jalen Milroe At No. 92

April 25th, 2025 at 10:47pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Seahawks made sweeping changes to their QB room this offseason, swapping out Geno Smith for Sam Darnold and bringing back Drew Lock. They swooped in for a longer-term project tonight.

Jalen Milroe becomes the fourth QB off the board, going to Seattle at No. 92. The Alabama prospect will be under contract through 2028, while Darnold has no fully-guaranteed money past 2025. That will put early pressure on the veteran to perform this year to earn his keep in Seattle in 2026 and beyond.

Milroe is an exciting physical prospect with elite size and speed for the quarterback position. He has a strong arm but will need to work on his basic mechanics to improve his ball placement and accuracy, which are currently significant weaknesses. His attitude and approach to the game received strong reviews from coaches and scouts, but his on-field processing will need to accelerate in the NFL.

Milroe threw for more than 2,800 yards in each of his last two seasons at Alabama with 39 touchdowns on the air and another 32 on the ground. His physical rushing abilities could help him carve out a short-yardage role on offense early on, especially close to the goal line.

The Seahawks clearly believe in Milroe’s ability to develop under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko. Milroe could even compete for a backup job right away after reports that Seattle was open to trading Sam Howell. Now that they’ve landed a young, high-upside passer, they may prefer to give Milroe backup reps to aid his development while moving Howell for draft compensation.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Browns Draft QB Dillon Gabriel At No. 94

April 25th, 2025 at 10:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

As the Shedeur Sanders wait has shifted into a historically strange place, the Browns made a quarterback pick. They are taking Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel at No. 94.

Minutes before this development, Ian Rapoport noted during an appearance on NFL Network Gabriel’s name had come up as a candidate to be selected before Sanders. That is also true of Alabama’s Jalen Milroe as Sanders remains on the board.

The Browns were constantly linked to a rookie addition during the pre-draft process. A Day 1 move, as expected, did not take place, but Friday provided the opportunity to bring in a backup option. Cleveland was reported to be high on Milroe, but with him going to the Seahawks two picks ago that was not an option in the third round. Instead, Gabriel will look to compete for playing time as a Brown.

Cleveland has Deshaun Watson on the books for 2025, but his second Achilles tear leaves him in danger of missing the entire season. The team traded for former first-rounder Kenny Pickett in March, but that move was not deemed the only one the team was eyeing. Even after a Joe Flacco reunion took place, the possibility of adding a rookie at some point remained.

Gabriel has emerged as that rookie. The 24-year-old began his career at UCF, spending three seasons there. That stretch was followed by a pair of campaigns at Oklahoma before 2024’s single year with the Ducks. Gabriel delivered strong numbers (72.9% completion percentage, career-high 3,857 yards, 30:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio) while leading Oregon to the College Football Playoff. Gabriel finished third in Heisman voting.

In spite of those accolades, his age and size (5-11, 205 pounds) led to the expectation a Day 3 selection would be likely. Gabriel has not needed to wait that long, though, and the Browns now have further depth on their QB depth chart.

Saints Add QB Tyler Shough At No. 40

April 25th, 2025 at 10:29pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Shedeur Sanders‘ drop will continue. The Saints are taking a quarterback at No. 40, leaving the Colorado prospect on the board. Instead, New Orleans is going with Louisville’s Tyler Shough.

A seven-year college arm who impressed during the pre-draft process, Shough will join a Saints team in turmoil at the position thanks to Derek Carr uncertainty. Stemming from a 2023 shoulder injury, Carr has a possible surgery in his plans. Shough now provides an immediate option for the Saints, carrying extensive experience to the Big Easy.

Shough has an NFL-ready arm with enough athleticism to extend plays behind the line of scrimmage, though that does not extend to running the ball for positive yardage. He will primarily need to improve his processing and vision to succeed in the NFL, two traits that are less developed than expected for a seven-year college player who will turn 26 years old during his rookie year.

However, Shough — who began his career as a Justin Herbert backup at Oregon — only has one full year of starting experience (2024 at Louisville) after three major injuries during his time at Texas Tech. The Cardinals’ offense averaged 36.6 points per game under Shough last year, who threw for 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns with just six interceptions.

Shough interviewed well with the Saints, according to The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson, potentially earning their trust to start under center in the near-future. If Carr is sidelined to begin 2025 season, Shough will likely be pushing for a starting job right away with Spencer Rattler as his primary competition.

After bringing in a new head coach this offseason in Kellen Moore, the Saints are hoping they’ve acquired their quarterback of the future in Shough, as well. The team’s streak of drafts without using a first-round pick on a quarterback is now at 54, but Shough did not miss by much. His age will tighten his developmental window and create more pressure to take over at QB in his first two NFL seasons. He will already be 30 by the end of his rookie deal, so he’ll need to come along quickly to have a major long-term impact in New Orleans.

2025 NFL Draft Results By Round

April 25th, 2025 at 10:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2025 NFL Draft:

Round 1

1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
2) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns): Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
3) New York Giants: Abdul Carter (OLB, Penn State)
4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell (T, LSU)
5) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
6) Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
7) New York Jets: Armand Membou (T, Missouri)
8) Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
9) New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr. (T, Texas)
10) Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
11) San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)
12) Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
13) Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
14) Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
15) Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
16) Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
18) Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel (OL, North Dakota State)
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
20) Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
23) Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
24) Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
25) New York Giants (from Texans): Jaxson Dart, QB (Ole Miss)
26) Atlanta Falcons (from Rams): James Pearce (DE, Tennessee)
27) Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
28) Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)
29) Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr. (T, Oregon)
30) Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
31) Philadelphia Eagles (from Chiefs): Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
32) Kansas City Chiefs (from Eagles): Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State)

Round 2

33) Cleveland Browns: Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA)
34) Houston Texans (from Giants): Jayden Higgins (WR, Iowa State)
35) Seattle Seahawks (from Titans): Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
36) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State)
37) Miami Dolphins (from Raiders): Jonah Savaiinaea (G, Arizona)
38) New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
39) Chicago Bears (from Panthers): Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
40) New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough (QB, Louisville)
41) Buffalo Bills (from Bears): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
42) New York Jets: Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
43) San Francisco 49ers: Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
44) Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College)
45) Indianapolis Colts: J.T. Tuimoloau (DE, Ohio State)
46) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Terrance Ferguson (TE, Oregon)
47) Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
48) Houston Texans (from Dolphins through Raiders): Aireontae Ersery (T, Minnesota)
49) Cincinnati Bengals: Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina)
50) Seattle Seahawks: Elijah Arroyo (TE, Miami)
51) Carolina Panthers (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (DE, Texas A&M)
52) Tennessee Titans (from Steelers through Seahawks): Femi Oladejo (OLB, UCLA)
53) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
54) Green Bay Packers: Anthony Belton, T (NC State)
55) Los Angeles Chargers: Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss)
56) Chicago Bears (from Vikings through Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo (T, Boston College)
57) Detroit Lions (from Panthers through Rams and Broncos): Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
58) Las Vegas Raiders (from Texans): Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
59) Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green (OLB, Marshall)
60) Denver Broncos (from Lions): R.J. Harvey (RB, Central Florida)
61) Washington Commanders: Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
62) Chicago Bears (from Bills): Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M)
63) Kansas City Chiefs: Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee)
64) Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Mukuba (S, Texas)

Round 3

65) New York Giants: Darius Alexander (DT, Toledo)
66) Kansas City Chiefs (from Titans): Ashton Gillotte (DE, Louisville)
67) Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green)
68) Las Vegas Raiders: Darien Porter (CB, Iowa State)
69) New England Patriots: Kyle Williams (WR, Washington State)
70) Detroit Lions (from Jaguars): Isaac TeSlaa (WR, Arkansas)
71) New Orleans Saints: Vernon Broughton (DT, Texas)
72) Buffalo Bills (from Bears): Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas)
73) New York Jets: Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State)
74) Denver Broncos (from Panthers): Pat Bryant (WR, Illinois)
75) San Francisco 49ers: Nick Martin (LB, Oklahoma State)
76) Dallas Cowboys: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
77) Carolina Panthers (from Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss)
78) Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Burch (OLB, Oregon)
79) Houston Texans (from Dolphins through Eagles via Commanders): Jaylin Noel (WR, Iowa State)
80) Indianapolis Colts: Justin Walley (CB, Minnesota)
81) Cincinnati Bengals: Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia)
82) Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks): Kevin Winston (S, Penn State)
83) Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa)
84) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Parrish (CB, Kansas State)
85) Kansas City Chiefs from Broncos through Panthers and Patriots): Nohl Williams (CB, Cal)
86) Los Angeles Chargers: Jamaree Caldwell (DT, Oregon)
87) Green Bay Packers: Savion Williams (WR, TCU)
88) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings): Caleb Ransaw (CB, Tulane)
89) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Texans): Wyatt Millum (G, West Virginia)
90) Los Angeles Rams: Josaiah Stewart (OLB, Michigan)
91) Baltimore Ravens: Emery Jones (T, LSU)
92) Seattle Seahawks (from Lions through Jets via Raiders): Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)
93) New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Jonas Sanker (S, Virginia)
94) Cleveland Browns (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon)
95) New England Patriots (from Chiefs): Jared Wilson (C, Georgia)
96) Atlanta Falcons (from Eagles): Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
97) Houston Texans (from Vikings)*: Jaylin Smith (CB, USC)
98) Las Vegas Raiders (from Dolphins)*: Caleb Rogers (G, Texas Tech)
99) Las Vegas Raiders (from Giants through Texans)*: Charles Grant (T, William & Mary)
100) San Francisco 49ers*: Upton Stout (CB, Western Kentucky)
101) Denver Broncos (from Rams through Falcons and Eagles)*: Sai’Vion Jones (DE, LSU)
102) Minnesota Vikings (from Lions through Jaguars and Texans)*: Tai Felton (WR, Maryland)

Read more

Broncos Move Into Eagles’ No. 101 Spot

April 25th, 2025 at 10:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

As this trade frenzy nears its conclusion tonight, the Eagles are moving back again. They are trading No. 101 to the Broncos, who will make their fourth selection of the draft.

Denver will send Philly Nos. 111, 130 and 191 for Nos. 101 and 134. The Broncos will take LSU edge rusher Sai’vion Jones with the selection. This is the Broncos’ second straight draft choosing an outside linebacker in Round 3; they chose rotational cog Jonah Elliss last year.

Philly had just moved back, via Atlanta, from No. 96. While no future pick is coming their way in this swap, the Broncos will cut down their selection count by one. They will do so for Jones, who will be in line to step in as a backup behind starters Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper.

At 283 pounds, however, Jones could also be ticketed for time up front in Denver’s 3-4 scheme, where Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach are on expiring contracts. Bonitto is in a contract year (as a clear extension candidate), while Cooper’s extension runs through 2028. Jones will join the former seventh-round find in being signed for four seasons. The Broncos traded Baron Browning to the Cardinals before last year’s deadline, and former UDFA Dondrea Tillman operated as the team’s fourth rusher following that point.

Jones posted 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss last season; both were career-high numbers, as the SEC product is not Colorado-bound with an impressive statistical resume. Jones checked in 19th among edge defenders on Dane Brugler’s The Athletic big board, though it will be interesting to see if the Broncos give him time up front during the offseason program.

The defending champions are certainly known for draft maneuvering as their shifts out of 2024 draft slots — for 2025 picks — was among the more notable storylines during the final rounds last year. The Eagles have made two picks thus far — linebacker Jihaad Campbell and safety Andrew Mukuba. They will enter Day 3 with seven more picks. Conversely, Denver holds just two on Day 3.

Texans Collect No. 97 From Vikings

April 25th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

A flurry of trades is closing out Day 2 of the draft. The Texans are adding No. 97 from the Vikings, who are sliding down five spots.

Minnesota will move into tonight’s final slot (No. 102) and add No. 142 as well. In addition to 97, Houston will add No. 187. The Texans chose USC cornerback Jaylin Smith at 97.

Smith spent his entire four-year career with the Trojans, starting 32 of 43 games. His most productive campaign came in 2024, when he posted four pass deflections and a pair of interceptions. Those figures helped him earn third-team All-Big Ten honors.

Given Smith’s size (5-11, 187 pounds), it would come as no surprise if he were to operate in the slot at the NFL level. Especially given Houston’s CB setup, competing for defensive time on the inside should be expected. Smith could, at a minimum, look to earn snaps on special teams right away.

The Texans used a second-round pick on Kamari Lassiter last year, and he enjoyed a strong rookie campaign. Derek Stingley Jr., meanwhile, is on the books for years to come thanks to his monster extension signed this offseason. Those two will remain atop the depth chart for perimeter corners in 2025 and beyond. Smith could look to serve as a backup if he sees time on the outside at the NFL level.

Houston ranked sixth against the pass in 2024, and DeMeco Ryans‘ team will be expected to duplicate that success next season. Smith could manage to play a role in that effort depending on his performance in training camp, or he could at least give the team a low-cost option in the secondary for years to come.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Falcons Obtain No. 96 From Eagles, Draft S Xavier Watts

April 25th, 2025 at 10:03pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Eagles used this sector of last year’s draft to hop around the board, acquiring a host of 2025 picks. They are moving one of theirs to the Falcons, who will add No. 96.<a rel=

Atlanta will send Philly No. 101, and Howie Roseman will make another play for a future asset. A 2026 fifth is also in the trade. The Falcons took Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts with the pick, adding one of the draft’s top free safety prospects after declining to re-sign Justin Simmons this offseason. The Eagles then moved back from No. 101 in a trade with the Broncos.

Watts could end up being one of the steals of the draft after entering Friday as a projected early second-round pick and the third-ranked safety behind Malaki Starks and Nick Emmanwori. Instead, Watts fell to the end of the third round and joins first-round edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in Atlanta’s defense. His NFL-ready intelligence and ball skills make him a candidate to start as a rookie.

Watts’ below-average athleticism and tackling limit his versatility and upside, but his 13 interceptions and 31 passes defended over his last two seasons at Notre Dame speak volumes about his ballhawking instincts. With the Falcons planning to give Clark Phillips a shot at nickel in 2025 (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution), Watts could thrive in a split-safety role next to Jessie Bates.

Texans Flip No. 89 To Jaguars

April 25th, 2025 at 9:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

While not as notable as the intra-AFC South Christian Kirk trade the Jaguars and Texans combined on, the two AFC South teams are making a third-round swap.

The Jaguars will now hold back-to-back third-round picks, taking No. 89 from the Texans. Jacksonville has No. 88 in its arsenal as well. After selecting cornerback Caleb Ransaw with the first of those picks, the Jags have followed it up with West Virginia offensive lineman Wyatt Milum.

Milum spent his first season with the Mountaineers operating at right tackle, serving as a starter for most of the campaign. After that, he moved to the blindside and remained a full-time starter and a key member of the team’s offense. In 2024, the 6-7, 313-pounder was named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year.

That accolade came in addition to consensus first-team All-American honors, a sign of Milum’s level of play as a senior. Despite his size, a move inside to guard could be in order at the NFL level (something which would, of course, also help explain how he remained on the board this long). Upon arrival in Duval County, he will look to compete for immediate playing time.

The Jaguars have Walker Little and Anton Harrison in place at both tackle spots. They will be counted on to operate as starters in 2025 and beyond, but Milum could look to serve in a swing tackle role. Failing that, he could see time as a first-team option at guard.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Patriots Deal No. 85 To Chiefs

April 25th, 2025 at 9:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs already made a move for a cornerback this offseason, giving Kristian Fulton a two-year deal worth $20MM. But the AFC dynasty will keep going here.

New England dealt Kansas City No. 85, and the Chiefs took cornerback Nohl Williams out of Cal. The Chiefs will send the Pats No. 95 and a 2026 fourth-rounder.

Kansas City did not see its L’Jarius Sneed replacement cadre impress last season, though Jaylen Watson missed most of it due to a broken leg. The Eagles picked on him in Super Bowl LIX, however, likely contributing to the increased commitment this offseason. Kansas City also has Johnson and Joshua Williams in contract years. Trent McDuffie technically joins the 2022 draftees, but the All-Pro will see his fifth-year option exercised before the May 1 deadline.

McDuffie and Fulton are poised to start on the outside for the Chiefs, with McDuffie proving an elite slot stopper on occasion as well. Nohl Williams joins a somewhat crowded cadre of cogs vying for time behind the team’s top two cover men.

The younger of the Chiefs’ two CB Williamses will head to Missouri after displaying elite ball production in his final Cal season. Nohl grabbed seven interceptions, pacing Division I-FBS in 2024. He also served as the Golden Bears’ kick returner, taking one back for a score. Williams transferred from UNLV in 2023.

Load More Posts