2025 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Draft Trade Rumors: Edge, Bears, Vikings

April 19th, 2025 at 5:59pm CST by Ely Allen

We’ve seen lately that a litany of first-round options at edge rushing positions could lead to a run at the position in the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft. After Penn State’s Abdul Carter (projected at Nos. 2 or 3 overall), there isn’t expected to be another pass rusher taken until the mid-teens. If the Falcons open the floodgates, it could both trigger a run at the position and possibly spark some trade movement in the first round, according to sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline.

Pauline calls the Cardinals‘ pick at No. 16 overall a potential “flashpoint” where teams who are looking to add an impact edge rusher may trade up in order to jump the Bengals, who hold the No. 17 overall pick and have been linked to a pass rusher in the first round. He and ESPN’s Jordan Reid identify the Falcons‘ No. 15 overall pick as a more likely target to trade up to.

Pauline points out that Atlanta currently only owns five draft picks and would be more than happy to add more picks to their docket by trading down. Reid adds that, in a deep class of edge rushers, the Falcons “feel comfortable with several options” that they have similar grades on. If a team wants to jump Cincinnati for a pass rusher, proposing to trade with the Falcons may be the route to follow.

Here are a couple other trade rumors that could come to play in next week’s draft:

Reid also seems to be under the impression that we will see a team trade into the top 10, specifically into No. 10 overall, a pick currently owned by the Bears. Reid asserts that, should the Saints throw a curveball from recent rumors and not draft a quarterback at No. 9 overall, several teams may jump to move up as a result. He sees teams potentially moving up for a top tight end or potentially a pass rusher, though the deep pass rushing class narrative seems to conflict with that sentiment. Without the New Orleans curveball, though, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune believes that a lack of interest in the No. 10 overall pick would make a trade back in the second round more likely than the first for the Bears.
We’ve seen this several places, but ESPN’s Matt Miller pointed out a bit of the obvious recently, identifying the Vikings as a team likely to seek a trade back in the first round of the draft. The reason this seems so obvious is because, with only four draft picks, Minnesota owns the fewest selections of any team in the draft. The Vikings may attempt to increase their draft capital with a trade back if they can find an interested party.

OL Draft Notes: Campbell, Jackson, Membou

April 19th, 2025 at 4:20pm CST by Ely Allen

In our recent 2025 NFL Mock Draft, we projected that LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell would be selected by the Patriots at No. 4 overall, and we don’t appear to be alone in that projection. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe recently asserted that “all roads lead to” New England for Campbell.

Volin quoted Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network who recently told him, “I’ve just continually heard that offensive tackle was going to be addressed, and I’ve continually heard that that’s Will Campbell’s spot.”

The top three picks of the 2025 NFL Draft consistently reflect that Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Colorado athlete Travis Hunter, and Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter will be the first three off the board. This leaves the Patriots with every other option on the board with the fourth overall pick, and while no pick seems as obvious as the first three, all signs seem to be pointing to Campbell.

Here are a few other draft rumors concerning offensive linemen in the upcoming draft:

Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson hasn’t garnered as much attention from the media in the pre-draft process as his bookend teammate Josh Simmons, who has earned some projections as a potential first-rounder, but he’s still getting plenty of attention from the NFL. After shifting out from his usual left guard spot to left tackle part-way through his senior season in Columbus, Jackson has garnered some second-round projections of his own. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Jackson visited his hometown’s local team, the Texans, this week. Wilson adds that Jackson has also visited the Giants, Eagles, Vikings, and Raiders in the past few weeks.
Many of the draft’s top tackle prospects have been projected more favorably as guards at the NFL level. Several teams have overlooked the limitations of these prospects as they search for tackle help. Missouri lineman Armand Membou continues to hear position questions in the runup to the draft. Per Volin, Membou’s trainer, Duke Mayweather of OL Masterminds, has claimed that Membou is much more likely to flourish at right tackle and that he wouldn’t try to switch him to left tackle. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune took things a step further, saying that, while he agrees Membou will fit first at right tackle, he thinks Membou is more likely to end up playing guard than left tackle in the NFL.

Georgia Defenders Making Early First-Round Connections

April 19th, 2025 at 3:13pm CST by Ely Allen

The University of Georgia has been a pipeline for first-round defensive talent in the past several years. Since 2016, 11 Bulldogs have been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, including in 2022 when No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker was joined by four other defensive teammates in the first round. This year Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, and Malaki Starks have been noted as potential first-rounders coming out of Athens, and as potential edge defenders, Walker and Williams are likely to hear their names called in the first half of Day 1.

As they continue to draw interest from multiple teams in the top 16, two teams seem to be zoning in on the teammates; the Panthers have been repeatedly linked to Walker, while the Falcons are heavily monitoring Williams. In fact, in the last day of pre-draft visits earlier this week, Williams spent his time in the Falcons’ building, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Atlanta has been repeatedly linked to the possibility of drafting a defensive player in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and, needing help on the edge, Williams and his mid-first-round projection make a lot of sense.

It was also announced, by ESPN’s Jordan Reid, that Walker and Williams would be holding a private workout for NFL scouts and executives this past Friday at Georgia’s indoor facility. Each player only participated in position drills throughout the workout, which is notable because Walker only measured at the NFL Scouting Combine and Georgia’s pro day, not doing any timing or testing. Williams, likewise, only measured at the combine, but did run and time at the Bulldogs’ pro day.

The Falcons maintained their link to Williams, sending both assistant general manager Kyle Smith and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to Athens for the players’ workout yesterday, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic. The Panthers, on the other hand, were not in attendance as, according to Joe Person of The Athletic, they remained in draft meetings and “seem to have seen all they need to from the Georgia linebacker.”

Based on rumors and fit, we recently projected Walker to Carolina and Williams to Atlanta in our 2025 NFL Mock Draft. We’re just five days away from finding out just how serious each team’s interest is in the respective defensive prospects.

CB Will Johnson’s Draft Stock Falling

April 19th, 2025 at 1:24pm CST by Ely Allen

Entering the 2024 college football season as a likely top five draft pick, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson only needed to show NFL scouts what they had seen for the first two years of his collegiate career in order to solidify that status. Unfortunately, an up-and-down junior campaign could cost Johnson money as he seems to be sliding down draft boards.

Analytically, Johnson played well at times but didn’t nearly display the dominance that he had in his first two years in Ann Arbor. As a freshman for the Wolverines, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Johnson out as the 12th-best cornerback in the NCAA out of 917 graded players at the position. He followed that up with a 114th-best ranking (out of 859) in 2023 before falling to 139th out of 848 in this year.

You can see similarities reflected in his on-field contributions, as well. As a true freshman, Johnson played in all 14 of the team’s games, making five starts. In his time on the field, though, Johnson was extremely disruptive with three interceptions, six passes defensed, and two tackles for loss. During the team’s championship campaign in 2023, Johnson missed a couple of games with injury but still started 11 of 12 games played. He increased his pass defense numbers with four interceptions and eight passes defended and even won the Defensive MVP award in the National Championship Game.

Despite only playing six games in 2024 due to injury, Johnson stayed on track with two interceptions and five passes defensed. After a shoulder contusion forced him to miss some time early in the season, Johnson saw a turf toe injury sideline him for the back half of the season.

The turf toe injury lingered into the offseason and pre-draft process. The ailment held him out of workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine, though he did attend for interviews and measurements. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Johnson held a private workout for scouts in Ann Arbor in early-April after missing Michigan’s pro day because of the injury. Todd McShay of The Ringer, though, adds that Johnson did not run a 40-yard dash in the private workout.

As a result of these injury issues and the up-and-down play as a junior, Johnson appears to be falling down draft boards. Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald indicated that Johnson is likely to fall out of the top 10 draft picks and may not be the first cornerback off the board. This prediction doesn’t include Colorado’s Travis Hunter, an obvious prospect being ranked over Johnson, but instead asserts that Texas’ Jahdae Barron will be picked before Johnson.

Regardless, all Johnson can do at this point is keep his head down and keep working. He seems to be healing, but each team will do their own research into his medicals as they continue to evaluate their options. Most recently, Johnson visited the Seahawks earlier this week, per Rapoport. At the moment, he’s still considered a likely Day 1 pick, but if he keeps trending down, he could be in danger of falling out of the first round altogether.

Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.

Raiders Expected To Select RB Ashton Jeanty At No. 6

April 18th, 2025 at 10:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ashton Jeanty has long been connected to the Raiders, and that remains the case as the countdown to the draft continues. It would come as no surprise if the Boise State back wound up beginning his career in Vegas.

Many around the league are of the view the Raiders have “fallen in love” with Jeanty during the pre-draft process, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones writes. Vegas is among the teams which have hosted the Heisman runner-up, a sign of interest on the part of Pete Carroll, John Spytek and Co. One AFC executive went as far as telling Jones it is a “foregone conclusion” the Raiders will select Jeanty sixth overall.

Replacing Josh Jacobs proved to be a challenge for Vegas last season. Zamir White – added during the fourth round of the 2022 draft – flashed potential as a starter late in Jacobs’ final Raiders campaign. That was not repeated in 2024, however, as White averaged only 2.8 yards per carry when on the field. He was limited to eight games last season, and a depth role should be in store for 2025, the final year of his rookie pact.

Vegas saw veteran Alexander Mattison depart in free agency, while the team brought in Raheem Mostert. The latter was released by the Dolphins in a move which did not come as much of a surprise. Mostert, 33, handled over 200 carries in 2023 but that figure plummeted to 85 last year. Expectations will be tempered after he signed a one-year deal worth just $1.6MM to join the Raiders.

Jeanty’s production and rushing efficiency improved during each of his three seasons at Boise State, and he amassed 2,739 scrimmage yards to go along with 30 total touchdowns in 2024. The junior handled 750 carries in college, so questions related to his mileage will no doubt be raised. Nevertheless, Jeanty has long been regarded as the top option in a very strong 2025 RB class.

The Cowboys – set to pick 12th overall – have also hosted Jeanty on a pre-draft visit, with the same being true of the Bears (who own pick No. 10). Chicago is seen as being high on the All-American, but it remains to be seen if selecting him will be possible. If the Raiders follow through with their expected decision, the Bears and all other RB-needy teams will turn their attention elsewhere during the draft.

Giants Preparing For QB Move After No. 3; Brian Daboll High On Jaxson Dart

April 18th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

Since the signings of Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson in free agency, the possibility of the Giants waiting until after the No. 3 pick to add a quarterback has gained steam. Signs continue to point in that direction with less than one week remaining until the opening round.

New York’s final days of pre-draft visits has included work with a number of quarterback prospects, but taking any not named Cam Ward (long regarded as a lock to go No. 1) would be seen by many as a reach. Turning aside interest for the third overall selection would leave the Giants in position to select whichever member of the Travis Hunter-Abdul Carter pair remains after the Browns make their pick. Carter heads to New York in PFR’s first-round mock.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes the Giants appear to have a clear plan in place across the organization with respect to addressing the quarterback spot. That effort is unlikely to include the third overall pick, something corroborated by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. The latter notes taking a signal-caller at the top of the second round (New York owns pick No. 34) or trading up into the late Day 1 order remains on the table.

A scenario in which the Giants draft Hunter and then pull off a trade-up maneuver to add his former Colorado teammate Shedeur Sanders has been floated as a possibility. Sanders’ stock appears to be falling compared to other second-tier quarterbacks, something which could make it easier for an interested team to acquire him outside of the top 10. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has emerged as a Sanders supporter, though, meaning the No. 21 slot could represent his floor.

Regardless of how Sanders’ draft process plays out, Jaxson Dart is a name to watch with respect to the Giants. Head coach Brian Daboll is a fan of the Ole Miss product, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. Dart has frequently been mentioned as a potential first-rounder and a candidate to be the second QB to hear his name called. Schultz adds to the expectation Dart will come off the board during the draft’s opening night, a scenario which would require general manager Joe Schoen to make a move up from 34.

Questions loom about both Daboll and Schoen regarding their job security, and drafting a passer capable of operating as a long-term starter represents an obvious target entering a key 2025 campaign. Playing time will not be immediately available for a rookie added next week if things go to plan with the team’s veterans, but the pursuit of one of the class’ top options would come as no surprise.

Ravens Draft Rumors: Edge, Kicker, DL, CB, S

April 18th, 2025 at 9:59pm CST by Ely Allen

The Ravens are well-known for their draft approach of taking the best players available regardless of position, though they’re not above taking a player at a position of need if they believe it’s at a good value. That being said, Tony Pauline of sportskeeda claimed today that Baltimore is “believed to be in the market for an edge rusher in the first round.”

The Ravens aren’t likely to reach for a player at a position at which they’ve already spent a 2024 third-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, and 2021 first-round pick. Because of this, I would think that this would only be true if a top-ranked pass rusher falls to them in the back half of the first round.

Obviously, a player like Abdul Carter isn’t expected to be around by the 27th overall pick. After that, anything can happen, and while it might not be likely, it wouldn’t be a surprise if players like Shemar Stewart, Mike Green, or Mykel Williams were around that late. Options like Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Pearce are expected to be around in that range, and Baltimore could certainly pursue them, but only if they perceive them to be one of the top players available.

Here are notes on a few other positions of focus for Baltimore when next week’s draft occurs:

Ongoing legal issues with future Hall of Fame kicker Justin Tucker have the Ravens in an uncertain position on special teams for the first time since Tucker signed as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2012. As a result, Baltimore has been doing its research on kickers in this year’s draft class and could draft a kicker for the first time in their franchise’s history, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. The Ravens are the only team not to have drafted a kicker in the common draft era, and general manager Eric DeCosta admits “there’s no blueprint for finding a kicker.” If they find the right kicker at the right time, though, we could see the selection made. Two options on the table could be in-state rivals Andres Borregales out of Miami (FL) and Ryan Fitzgerald out of Florida State.
Following the retirement of Michael Pierce and the coming contract year for Travis Jones, defensive tackle is a position of need for Baltimore in this year’s draft. DeCosta confirmed as much, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, calling the position a priority. DeCosta called this year’s class fairly deep at defensive line and claimed “there’s an opportunity for (them) to get better” at the position.
Another position that DeCosta singled out was cornerback. After losing Brandon Stephens and Tre’Davious White to free agency, the team added Chidobe Awuzie. They also roster recent draft picks Jalyn Armour-Davis and T.J. Tampa as depth pieces. While DeCosta didn’t guarantee anything, he told the media that “it’s a pretty safe bet that the Ravens will be drafting at least one cornerback next week,” per Zrebiec. The team is likely to start Nate Wiggins and Awuzie on the outside with Marlon Humphrey manning the nickelback role, so they could look for an upgrade over Awuzie, but at the very least, adding depth is a necessity.
DeCosta didn’t mince words about the safety position either, per Zrebiec. Despite being “fairly confident” that Ar’Darius Washington will return after presumably signing his exclusive rights free agent tender, DeCosta said that it was “more than likely” that Baltimore would still add a safety in the draft, as well. Washington and Kyle Hamilton would return as starters from last year, but the only depth behind them currently are two rookies from last year, Sanoussi Kane (seventh round) and Beau Brade (undrafted).

Raiders Wanted Joe Milton, Still Might Draft QB

April 18th, 2025 at 8:21pm CST by Ely Allen

Deciding to try and improve on a depth chart topped by Aidan O’Connell at quarterback this offseason, the Raiders’ new leadership opted to trade for former Seahawks veteran Geno Smith. Las Vegas wasn’t done there as they were reportedly interested in trading for a backup quarterback, as well, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic.

The day after the Raiders acquired Smith, reports claimed that the team could still potentially draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. While that seems less likely after Smith’s two-year extension, it became clear that Vegas was not through addressing the quarterback position.

According to Tafur, after news that the team was still considering a first-round passer, the Raiders were in trade talks for former Patriots backup quarterback Joe Milton. A sixth-round rookie out of Tennessee last year, Milton served as a third-string and scout team quarterback for much of the season behind Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett. Milton felt like insurance in case Maye didn’t pan out early, but Maye showed decent promise in 2024.

While most of Milton’s impact came on the practice field, he got to play some significant snaps in the team’s season finale. Milton impressed by completing 76 percent of his passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, adding 16 yards and a score on the ground, as well. Milton’s impressive showing drew interest from across the league, and while it sounds like Las Vegas was seriously in the running, Dallas ended up acquiring the second-year backup.

After failing to bring Milton in, the Raiders are still considered a team likely to pursue a passer at some point in the draft. General manager John Spytek confirmed as much, telling Raiders columnist Paul Gutierrez that they “remain open-minded…to the most important position in sports.” The team has all seven of their original draft picks, as well as two additional sixth-rounders, so there will be several opportunities to target a new passer.

It will be interesting to see who has more pull in the draft room next week in Las Vegas: veteran head coach Pete Carroll or the rookie general manager. According to another quote provided from Gutierrez, neither seems to have final say over the other Carroll said they would “work it out,” while Spytek added that “if there’s no consensus, (they) probably don’t take him.”

Steelers Expected To Draft Running Back

April 18th, 2025 at 6:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Quarterback obviously looms as a higher priority for the Steelers, who have seen their Aaron Rodgers dance extend beyond a month since an offer emerged. Whether or not the Steelers are souring on the aging great, they are likely to make a notable skill-position addition to play behind Rodgers (or Mason Rudolph, Kirk Cousins or a to-be-determined rookie).

The Steelers protected Jaylen Warren with a second-round tender — one that nearly matches where Najee Harris‘ fifth-year option price would have checked in — and signed Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year, $1.79MM deal ($620K guaranteed). They do not appear to be done, as it looks like the AFC North team will be one of the many aiming to take advantage of this year’s deep running back crop.

Pittsburgh has done a lot of RB work in preparation for this draft, according to ESPN.com’s Matt Miller, and is expected to add here. The team trading its second-round pick for D.K. Metcalf provides a complication, but Miller pinpoints Rounds 3 and 4 for a potential move. Beyond the big names in this year’s RB class, teams should be able to find value (as opposed to last year, where the position did not impress evaluators).

Beyond Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton and Big Ten standouts Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson and Kaleb Johnson, more quality options could be available by Round 3. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. ranks five more RBs (Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, Kansas’ Devin Neal, Kansas State’s DJ Giddens and Oregon’s Jordan James) between Nos. 62 and 95 in this year’s class. This contingent, along with other potential fourth- or fifth-round options, undoubtedly would have been chosen earlier if available last year, when only one running back (Jonathon Brooks) went in the first two rounds.

Even as this draft is expected to see several backs chosen then, it is much deeper and figures to entice teams that address other needs earlier. That said, the Steelers have hosted Hampton, Henderson and Johnson.

With Warren and Gainwell in contract years, the Steelers should be expected to use this class to add a potential long-term starter. Even if Warren is extended, the team has viewed him as a change-of-pace option rather than surefire starter. The back that arrives will almost definitely push Warren and Gainwell for playing time, while potentially checking in as the Pittsburgh 2026 starter (after the team passed on paying Harris, who signed with the Chargers).

Making their big splash via trade, the Steelers stand to be rewarded with a host of compensatory picks in 2026. OverTheCap projects the team to add third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round comp picks for the free agency exits of Dan Moore Jr., Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and James Daniels. This factored into the Steelers’ spending strategy this offseason, GM Omar Khan said (via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac). Although the Steelers had hoped to cut into this by signing a quarterback, Fields passed on the team’s offer while Rodgers has yet to sign. Rodgers would not affect the Steelers’ compensatory formula anyway, being a street free agent. But the team should receive a significant boost to its draft arsenal by letting two O-line starters and both its top QBs walk.

Chiefs Eyeing Tackle In Trade-Up Move?

April 18th, 2025 at 5:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Donovan Smith did not play last season, but the Chiefs did not effectively replace their Super Bowl LVIII starting left tackle. Kansas City started four players at the position last season, eventually seeing their setup unravel on the biggest stage.

The Eagles’ dismantling of the Chiefs checked in as more alarming than the AFC power’s Super Bowl LV loss to the Buccaneers. Kansas City’s 2020 edition had lost both its starting tackles (Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz) by the time Shaq Barrett and Co. teed off on backups; they came into Super Bowl LIX with their starting O-line, only to see it fail to hold up against a smothering Eagles rush. The Chiefs moved from Kingsley Suamataia, Wanya Morris and D.J. Humphries to finally Joe Thuney at LT. Thuney’s run of capable work on the outside did not lead to him holding up against Philly, and the Chiefs have made moves to address the position once again.

John Lynch expressed surprise when the Chiefs gave 49ers swing tackle Jaylon Moore a two-year deal worth $15MM on average, but the three-time reigning AFC champs have him tentatively slated to start at left tackle to begin next season. Thuney’s departure via trade, following the Trey Smith franchise tag, will free up a spot for Suamataia; the 2024 second-round pick will attempt to find his footing at guard. Moore’s deal may wind up being a solution, but the Chiefs are believed to be looking into trading up for a tackle.

Kansas City is actively looking to find a first-round trade partner, according to ESPN.com’s Matt Miller, who identifies tackle as the position the Chiefs are primarily targeting. Moving ahead of the Texans (No. 25) and Rams (26) is a factor here, Miller adds, if a specific LT prospect remains on the board. As the Super Bowl loser, the Chiefs hold the No. 31 overall pick in a historically rare first round in which every team (for now) carries its own first-round selection.

Will Campbell and Missouri prospect Armand Membou, whom teams view more as a right tackle and a potential guard, are expected to be long gone by this trade range. No other tackles slot inside the top 30 on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, which places Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. at 31st, Ohio State’s Josh Simmons 37th and Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. 39th. Donovan Jackson kicked outside to tackle to replace an injured Simmons last season, but he is viewed more as a guard — where he played exclusively from 2022-23 — in the pros. North Dakota State’s Gray Zabel, as our Ely Allen pointed out in his mock draft, has the ability to shift outside. He is also, however, seen first as an interior blocker at the NFL level. The Chiefs met with Simmons last week.

The Chiefs giving Moore $15MM per year, after 12 career starts, effectively indicates they are done with Suamataia and Morris as viable LT starter options. The team going after a tackle in Round 1 also makes sense when its RT situation is considered. Penalty maven Jawaan Taylor has not lived up to his $20MM-AAV deal, but the contract included a rolling guarantee structure that locked in the ex-Jaguar’s 2025 salary in March 2024. The Chiefs, though, can move on from Taylor cleanly following the 2025 season. They will need a right tackle starter in that likely event. Adding a tackle early in this draft could cover multiple bases for the team, one that has a notable recent history of trading up in Round 1 (Patrick Mahomes, Trent McDuffie, Xavier Worthy).

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