New York Giants News & Rumors

Giants Considered Trading Up For Shedeur Sanders; Teams Took QB Off Draft Boards?

April 28th, 2025 at 9:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL may never see a fifth-round pick overshadow its draft again, but it certainly happened this past weekend. Shedeur Sanders‘ fall to No. 144 perplexed most, but it came after rumblings of the QB’s stock having tumbled ahead of the selection event.

Countless instances of players with criminal backgrounds becoming early-round picks have been part of the draft’s history, but it appeared as though teams determined Sanders’ skillset was not worth any potential off-field distractions he and his family might provide. As we move away from the draft, more evidence toward that case is emerging.

Before Round 4 began, a report that indicated Sanders not being a first-round pick pertained to a lack of high-level traits while then pointing to the Day 2 snub coming from teams not wanting their backup to bring a “circus” atmosphere. A Monday offering indicated Sanders indeed run into issues during the pre-draft process, particularly with coaches. Quarterback-turned-veteran media presence Boomer Esiason has offered more to this end.

Esiason said during his Boomer and Gio WFAN Sports Radio show (video link) that multiple teams took Sanders off their draft board due to his attitude during interviews. Owners drove these decisions, Esiason added, with perceived Sanders entitlement a central issue here. Deion Sanders having also mentioned potential intervention with regards to steering his son away from certain teams also “didn’t help.”

Shedeur Sanders fell from a player in contention for the No. 1 overall pick, before Cam Ward evaluations separated the Miami product, to someone not expected to drop out of the top 10 to a player not a lock to go in Round 1. Coaches becoming more involved in the process are believed to have affected this, at least it is believed to have impacted the Giants’ approach, and Esiason adds that Sanders’ brash attitude proved off-putting to “many, many” GMs and coaches. Clubs were certainly hesitant on Sanders becoming the face of a franchise, as the three-day fall illustrated.

We heard before Round 2 the Saints were unlikely to choose Sanders, despite carrying QB uncertainty going into the draft. They indeed went another way, taking Tyler Shough at No. 40. The Seahawks (Jalen Milroe) and Browns (Dillon Gabriel) followed suit. It was fairly clear the Browns were not planning to draft Sanders, having made Gabriel their choice in Round 3. But as he fell into the fifth round, a Cleveland team attempting to move past the Deshaun Watson mistake traded up for him. Sanders and Gabriel will vie for the starting job along with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.

While the Browns were not one of the teams whose owner put a reported kibosh on a Sanders selection, the Giants moved three Day 2 picks to the Texans for Jaxson Dart. They did this after extensive Sanders homework. Big Blue is believed to have done more work on Sanders compared to Dart, but Brian Daboll — who was believed to have been among the coaches who did not see eye-to-eye with the Colorado QB — is believed to have driven a push for the Ole Miss passer. That said, the Giants still considered moving up for Sanders — had Dart been off the board — per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.

The Giants were believed to be leery of the Browns for a Dart move, and their trade offers appeared to emerge after the Steelers passed on Dart at No. 21. This brought New York’s long-debated Dart-or-Sanders decision to the forefront, and as Daboll and GM Joe Schoen attempt to make cases to last beyond Year 4 in their respective roles, Dart will be in line to eventually replace Russell Wilson.

As reports of teams being miffed at Shedeur Sanders’ tactics ahead of the draft multiply, the historic slide begins to make a bit more sense. The former Colorado and Jackson State signal-caller potentially overplaying his hand regarding his approach to the interview process will likely come up for many years during draft time. For 2025, he will attempt to prove the league — which includes his own team, which drafted Gabriel 50 spots before him — wrong for its determination on his prospect value.

2025 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

April 26th, 2025 at 10:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is every team’s haul from the 2025 NFL Draft:

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1, No. 16: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
Round 2, No. 47: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
Round 3, No. 78: Jordan Burch (OLB, Oregon)
Round 4, No. 115: Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State)
Round 5, 174 (from Cowboys)*: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State)
Round 6, No. 211 (from Cowboys)*: Hayden Conner (G, Texas)
Round 7, No. 225 (from Jets through Chiefs): Kitan Crawford (S, Nevada)

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1, No. 15: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
Round 1, No. 26 (from Rams): James Pearce (DE, Tennessee)
Round 3, No. 96 (from Eagles): Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
Round 4, No. 118: Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma)
Round 7, No. 218 (from Browns through Chargers): Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin)

Baltimore Ravens

Round 1, No. 27: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
Round 2, No. 59: Mike Green (OLB, Marshall)
Round 3, No. 91: Emery Jones (T, LSU)
Round 4, No. 129: Teddye Buchanan (LB, Cal)
Round 5, No. 141* (from Titans): Carson Vinson (T, Alabama A&M)
Round 6, No. 178 (from Titans): Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan)
Round 6, No. 186 (from Jets): Tyler Loop (K, Arizona)
Round 6, No. 203: LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado)
Round 6, No. 210*: Aeneas Peebles (DT, Virginia Tech)
Round 6, No. 212*: Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers)
Round 7, No. 243: Garrett Dellinger (G, LSU)

Buffalo Bills

Round 1, No. 30: Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
Round 2, No. 41 (from Bears): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
Round 3, No. 72 (from Bears): Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas)
Round 4, No. 109 (from Bears through Bills and Bears): Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky)
Round 5, No. 170 (from Cowboys)*: Jordan Hancock (CB, Ohio State)
Round 5, No. 173*: Jackson Hawes (TE, Georgia Tech)
Round 6, No. 177 (from Giants): Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech)
Round 6, No. 206: Chase Lundt (T, UConn)
Round 7, 240 (from Vikings through Browns and Bears): Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland)

Carolina Panthers

Round 1, No. 8: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
Round 2, No. 51 (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (DE, Texas A&M)
Round 3, No. 77 (from Falcons through Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss)
Round 4, No. 114 (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia)
Round 4, No. 122 (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State)
Round 5, No. 140 (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida)
Round 5, No. 163 (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame)
Round 6, No. 208 (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado)

Chicago Bears

Round 1, No. 10: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
Round 2, No. 39 (from Panthers): Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
Round 2, No. 56 (from Vikings through Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo (T, Boston College)
Round 2, No. 62: Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M)
Round 4, No. 132 (from Bills): Ruban Hyppolite (LB, Maryland)
Round 5, No. 169 (from Bills)*: Zah Frazier (CB, Texas-San Antonio)
Round 6, No. 195 (from Steelers through Rams): Luke Newman (G, Michigan State)
Round 7, No. 233 (from Bengals): Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers)

Cincinnati Bengals

Round 1, No. 17: Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
Round 2, No. 49: Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina)
Round 3, No. 81: Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia)
Round 4, No. 119: Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson)
Round 5, No. 153: Jalen Rivers (T, Miami)
Round 6, No. 193: Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech)

Cleveland Browns

Round 1, No. 5 (from Jaguars): Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
Round 2, No. 33: Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA)
Round 2, No. 36 (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State)
Round 3, No. 67: Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green)
Round 3, No. 94 (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon)
Round 4, No. 126 (from Vikings through Jaguars): Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee)
Round 5, No. 144 (from Patriots through Seahawks): Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)

Dallas Cowboys

Round 1, No. 12: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
Round 2, No. 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College)
Round 3, No. 76: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
Round 5, No. 149: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas)
Round 5, No. 152 (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida)
Round 6, No. 204 (from Lions through Browns and Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon)
Round 7, No. 217 (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA)
Round 7, No. 239 (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson)
Round 7, No. 247 (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland)

Round 1, No. 20: Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
Round 2, No. 60 (from Lions): R.J. Harvey (RB, Central Florida)
Round 3, No. 74 (from Panthers): Pat Bryant (WR, Illinois)
Round 3, No. 101 (from Rams through Falcons and Eagles)*: Sai’Vion Jones (DE, LSU)
Round 4, No. 134 (from Eagles through Lions and Eagles): Que Robinson (OLB, Alabama)
Round 6, No. 216 (from Browns through Texans)*: Jeremy Crawshaw (P, Florida)
Round 7, No. 241 (from Texans): Caleb Lohner (TE, Utah)

Detroit Lions

Round 1, No. 28: Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)
Round 2, No. 57 (from Rams through Panthers and Broncos): Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
Round 3, No. 70 (from Jaguars): Isaac TeSlaa (WR, Arkansas)
Round 5, No. 171 (from Cowboys through Patriots)*: Miles Frazier (G, LSU)
Round 6, No. 196 (from Buccaneers): Ahmed Hassanein (OLB, Boise State)
Round 7, No. 230 (from Cardinals through Panthers and Broncos): Dan Jackson (S, Georgia)
Round 7, No. 244: Dominic Lovett (WR, Georgia)

Green Bay Packers

Round 1, No. 23: Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
Round 2, No. 54: Anthony Belton, T (NC State)
Round 3, No. 87: Savion Williams (WR, TCU)
Round 4, No. 124: Barryn Sorrell (DE, Texas)
Round 5, No. 159: Collin Oliver (DE, Oklahoma State)
Round 6, No. 198: Warren Brinson (DT, Georgia)
Round 7, No. 237 (from Steelers): Micah Robinson (CB, Tulane)
Round 7, No. 250*: John Williams (G, Cincinnati)

Houston Texans

Round 2, No. 34 (from Giants): Jayden Higgins (WR, Iowa State)
Round 2, No. 48 (from Dolphins through Raiders): Aireontae Ersery (T, Minnesota)
Round 3, No. 79 (from Dolphins through Eagles and Commanders): Jaylin Noel (WR, Iowa State)
Round 3, No. 97 (from Vikings through Jaguars)*: Jaylin Smith (CB, USC)
Round 4, No. 116 (from Dolphins): Woody Marks (RB, USC)
Round 6, No. 187 (from 49ers through Vikings and Jaguars): Jaylen Reed (S, Penn State)
Round 7, No. 224 (from Bears through Dolphins): Kyonte Hamilton (DT, Rutgers)
Round 7, No. 255 (from Browns)*: Luke Lachey (TE, Iowa)

Indianapolis Colts

Round 1, No. 14: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
Round 2, No. 45: J.T. Tuimoloau (DE, Ohio State)
Round 3, No. 80: Justin Walley (CB, Minnesota)
Round 4, No. 127 (from Rams): Jalen Travis (T, Iowa State)
Round 5, No. 151: DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State)
Round 6, No. 189: Riley Leonard (QB, Notre Dame)
Round 6, No. 190 (from Falcons through Rams): Tim Smith (DT, Alabama)
Round 6, No. 197 (from Broncos): Graham Mertz (QB, Florida)
Round 7, No. 232: Hunter Wohler (S, Wisconsin)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 1, No. 2 (from Browns): Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
Round 3, No. 88 (from Vikings): Caleb Ransaw (CB, Tulane)
Round 3, No. 89 (from Texans): Wyatt Milum (G, West Virginia)
Round 4, No. 104 (from Browns): Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Virginia Tech)
Round 4, No. 107: Jack Kiser (LB, Notre Dame)
Round 6, No. 194 (from Seahawks): Jalen McLeod (LB, Auburn)
Round 6, No. 200 (from Vikings through Browns): Rayuan Lane (S, Navy)
Round 7, No. 221: Jonah Monheim (C, USC)
Round 7, No. 236 (from Broncos through Eagles, Commanders and Texans): LeQuint Allen (RB, Syracuse)

Kansas City Chiefs

Round 1, No. 32 (from Eagles): Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State)
Round 2, No. 63: Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee)
Round 3, No. 66 (from Titans): Ashton Gillotte (DE, Louisville)
Round 3, No. 85 (from Broncos through Panthers and Patriots): Nohl Williams (CB, Cal)
Round 4, No. 133: Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State)
Round 5, No. 156: Jeffrey Bassa (LB, Oregon)
Round 7, No. 228 (from Cowboys via Lions through Patriots)*: Brashard Smith (RB, SMU)

Las Vegas Raiders

Round 1, No. 6: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
Round 2, No. 58 (from Texans): Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
Round 3, No. 68: Darien Porter (CB, Iowa State)
Round 3, No. 98 (from Dolphins)*: Caleb Rogers (G, Texas Tech)
Round 3, No. 99 (from Giants through Texans)*: Charles Grant (T, William & Mary)
Round 4, No. 108: Dont’e Thornton (WR, Tennessee)
Round 4, No. 135 (from Dolphins)*: Tonka Hemingway ((DT, South Carolina)
Round 6, No. 180: J.J. Pegues (DT, Ole Miss)
Round 6, No. 213*: Tommy Mellott (QB, Montana State)
Round 6, No. 215*: Cam Miller (QB, North Dakota State)
Round 7, No. 222: Cody Lindenberg (LB, Minnesota)

Los Angeles Chargers

Round 1, No. 22: Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
Round 2, No. 55: Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss)
Round 3, No. 86: Jamaree Caldwell (DT, Oregon)
Round 4, No. 125: Kyle Kennard (OLB, South Carolina)
Round 5, No. 158: KeAndre Lambert-Smith (WR, Auburn)
Round 5, No. 165 (from Commanders through Eagles): Oronde Gadsden II (TE, Syracuse)
Round 6, No., 199: Branson Taylor (T, Pittsburgh)
Round 6, No. 214*: R.J. Mickens (S, Clemson)
Round 7, No. 256*: Trikweze Bridges (CB, Florida)

Los Angeles Rams

Round 2, No. 46 (from Falcons): Terrance Ferguson (TE, Oregon)
Round 3, No. 90: Josaiah Stewart (OLB, Michigan)
Round 4, No. 117 (from Colts): Jarquez Hunter (RB, Arizona)
Round 5, No. 148 (from Bears): Ty Hamilton (DT, Ohio State)
Round 5, No. 172 (from Seahawks through Vikings): Chris Paul Jr. (LB, Ole Miss)
Round 7, No. 242 (reacquired from Falcons): Konata Mumpfield (WR, Pitt)

Miami Dolphins

Round 1, No. 13: Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
Round 2, No. 37 (from Raiders): Jonah Savaiinaea (G, Arizona)
Round 5, No. 143 (from Raiders): Jordan Phillips (DT, Maryland)
Round 5: No. 150: Jason Marshall (CB, Florida)
Round 5, No. 155 (from Broncos): Dante Trader (S, Maryland)
Round 6, No. 179 (from Browns through Texans): Ollie Gordon (RB, Oklahoma State)
Round 7, No. 231: Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)
Round 7, No. 253*: Zeek Biggers (DT, Georgia Tech)

Minnesota Vikings

Round 1, No. 24: Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
Round 3, No. 102 (from Lions through Jaguars and Texans)*: Tai Felton (WR, Maryland)
Round 5, No. 139 (from Browns): Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT, Georgia)
Round 6, No. 201 (from Rams): Kobe King (LB, Penn State
Round 6, No. 202 (from Texans through Steelers, Bears and Rams): Gavin Bartholomew (TE, Pittsburgh)

New England Patriots

Round 1, No. 4: Will Campbell (T, LSU)
Round 2, No. 38: TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
Round 3, No. 69: Kyle Williams (WR, Washington State)
Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): Jared Wilson (C, Georgia)
Round 4, No. 106: Craig Woodson (S, Cal)
Round 4, No. 137 (from Seahawks)*: Joshua Farmer (DT, Florida State)
Round 5, No. 146 (from Patriots): Bradyn Swinson (OLB, LSU)
Round 6, No. 182 (from Jaguars through Lions): Andres Borregales (K, Miami)
Round 7, No. 220: Marcus Bryant (T, Missouri)
Round 7, No. 251 (from Chiefs)*: Julian Ashby (LS, Vanderbilt)
Round 7, No. 257 (from Chiefs)*: Kobee Minor (CB, Memphis)

New Orleans Saints

Round 1, No. 9: Kelvin Banks Jr. (T, Texas)
Round 2, No. 40: Tyler Shough (QB, Louisville)
Round 3, No. 71: Vernon Broughton (DT, Texas)
Round 3, No. 93 (from Commanders): Jonas Sanker (S, Virginia)
Round 4, No. 112: Danny Stutsman (LB, Oklahoma)
Round 4, No. 131 (from Commanders): Quincy Riley (CB, Louisville)
Round 6, No. 184 (reacquired from Commanders): Devin Neal (RB, Kansas)
Round 7, No. 248 (from Eagles through Commanders): Moliki Matavao (TE, UCLA)
Round 7, No. 254*: Fadil Diggs (DE, Syracuse)

New York Giants

Round 1, No. 3: Abdul Carter (OLB, Penn State)
Round 1, No. 25 (from Texans): Jaxson Dart, QB (Ole Miss)
Round 3, No. 65: Darius Alexander (DT, Toledo)
Round 4, No. 105: Cameron Skattebo (RB, Arizona State)
Round 5, No. 154 (from Seahawks): Marcus Mbow (G, Purdue)
Round 7, No. 219: Thomas Fidone III (TE, Nebraska)
Round 7, No. 246 (from Bills): Korie Black (CB, Oklahoma State)

New York Jets

Round 1, No. 7: Armand Membou (T, Missouri)
Round 2, No. 42: Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
Round 3, No. 73: Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State)
Round 4, No. 110: Arian Smith (WR, Georgia)
Round 4, No. 130 (from Lions through Broncos and Eagles): Malachi Moore (S, Alabama)
Round 5, No. 162 (from Rams through Steelers): Francisco Mauigoa (LB, Miami)
Round 6, No. 176 (from Ravens): Tyler Baron (DE, Miami)

Philadelphia Eagles

Round 1, No. 31 (from Chiefs): Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
Round 2, No. 64: Andrew Mukuba (S, Texas)
Round 4, No. 111 (from Panthers through Broncos): Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska)
Round 5, Nos. 145 (from Jets): Mac McWilliams (CB, Central Florida)
Round 5, No. 161: (from Texans): Smael Mondon (LB, Georgia)
Round 5, No. 168: Drew Kendall (C, Boston College)
Round 6, No. 181 (from Patriots through Chargers): Kyle McCord (QB, Syracuse)
Round 6, No. 191 (from Cardinals): Myles Hinton (OL, Michigan)
Round 6, No. 207 (from Chiefs and Jets): Cameron Williams (T, Texas)
Round 6, No. 209 (from Chargers)*: Antwaun Powell-Ryland (DE, Virginia Tech)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 1, No. 21: Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
Round 3, No. 83: Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa)
Round 4, No. 123: Jack Sawyer (OLB, Ohio State)
Round 5, No. 164 (from Lions through Browns, Eagles and Chiefs): Yahya Black (DE, Iowa)
Round 6, No. 185 (from Bears through Seahawks): Will Howard (QB, Ohio State)
Round 7, No. 226 (from Panthers through Chiefs): Carson Bruener (LB, Washington)
Round 7, No. 229 (from Falcons through Eagles): Donte Kent (CB, Central Michigan)

San Francisco 49ers

Round 1, No. 11: Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)
Round 2, No. 43: Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
Round 3, No. 75: Nick Martin (LB, Oklahoma State)
Round 3, No. 100*: Upton Stout (CB, Western Kentucky)
Round 4, No. 113: CJ West (DT, Indiana)
Round 4, No. 138*: Jordan Watkins (WR, Ole Miss)
Round 5: No. 147 (from Saints through Commanders): Jordan James (RB, Oregon)
Round 5, No. 160 (from Vikings): Marques Sigle (S, Kansas State)
Round 7, No. 227: Kurtis Rourke (QB, Indiana)
Round 7, No. 249*: Connor Colby (G, Iowa)
Round 7, 252*: Junior Bergen (WR, Montana)

Seattle Seahawks

Round 1, No. 18: Grey Zabel (OL, North Dakota State)
Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
Round 2, No. 50: Elijah Arroyo (TE, Miami)
Round 3, No. 92 (from Lions through Jets and Raiders): Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)
Round 5, No. 142 (from Jaguars through Texans and Vikings): Rylie Mills (DT, Notre Dame)
Round 5, No. 166 (from Bills through Texans): Tory Horton (WR, Colorado State)
Round 5, No. 175*: Robbie Ouzts (TE, Alabama)
Round 6, No. 192 (from Dolphins through Bears): Bryce Cabeldue (G, Kansas)
Round 7, No. 223 (from Saints through Eagles and Steelers): Damien Martinez (RB, Miami)
Round 7, No. 234: Mason Richman (T, Iowa)
Round 7, No. 238 (from Chargers through Patriots)*: Ricky White (WR, UNLV)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 1, No. 19: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
Round 2, No. 53: Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
Round 3, No. 84: Jacob Parrish (CB, Kansas State)
Round 4, No. 121: David Walker (OLB, Central Arkansas)
Round 5, No. 157: Elijah Roberts (OLB, SMU)
Round 7, No. 235: Tez Johnson (WR ,Oregon)

Tennessee Titans

Round 1, No. 1: Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
Round 2, No. 52 (from Steelers through Seahawks): Femi Oladejo (OLB, UCLA)
Round 3: No. 82 (from Seahawks): Kevin Winston (S, Penn State)
Round 4, No. 103: Chimere Dike (WR, Florida)
Round 4, No. 120 (from Seahawks): Gunnar Helm (TE, Texas)
Round 5, No. 136 (from Ravens)*: Elic Ayomanor (WR, Stanford)
Round 5, No. 167 (from Chiefs): Jackson Slater (G, Sacramento State)
Round 6, No. 183 (from Panthers through Ravens): Marcus Harris (CB, Cal)
Round 6, No. 188 (from Cowboys): Kalel Mullings (RB, Michigan)

Washington Commanders

Round 1, No. 29: Josh Conerly Jr. (T, Oregon)
Round 2, No. 61: Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans): Jaylin Lane (WR, Virginia Tech)
Round 6, No. 205: Kain Medrano (LB, UCLA)
Round 7, No. 245: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Arizona)

* = compensatory selection

2025 NFL Draft Results By Round

April 26th, 2025 at 8:55pm 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 Milum (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)

Round 4

103) Tennessee Titans: Chimere Dike (WR, Florida)
104) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns): Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Virginia Tech)
105) New York Giants: Cameron Skattebo (RB, Arizona State)
106) New England Patriots: Craig Woodson (S, Cal)
107) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jack Kiser (LB, Notre Dame)
108) Las Vegas Raiders: Dont’e Thornton (WR, Tennessee)
109) Buffalo Bills (from Bears through Bills and Bears): Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky)
110) New York Jets: Arian Smith (WR, Georgia)
111) Philadelphia Eagles (from Panthers through Broncos): Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska)
112) New Orleans Saints: Danny Stutsman (LB, Oklahoma)
113) San Francisco 49ers: CJ West (DT, Indiana)
114) Carolina Panthers (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia)
115) Arizona Cardinals: Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State)
116) Houston Texans (from Dolphins): Woody Marks (RB, USC)
117) Los Angeles Rams (from Colts): Jarquez Hunter (RB, Arizona)
118) Atlanta Falcons: Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma)
119) Cincinnati Bengals: Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson)
120) Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks): Gunnar Helm (TE, Texas)
121) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Walker (OLB, Central Arkansas)
122) Carolina Panthers (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State)
123) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jack Sawyer (OLB, Ohio State)
124) Green Bay Packers: Barryn Sorrell (DE, Texas)
125) Los Angeles Chargers: Kyle Kennard (OLB, South Carolina)
126) Cleveland Browns (from Vikings through Jaguars): Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee)
127) Indianapolis Colts (from Rams): Jalen Travis (T, Iowa State)
128) Washington Commanders (from Texans): Jaylin Lane (WR, Virginia Tech)
129) Baltimore Ravens: Teddye Buchanan (LB, Cal)
130) New York Jets (from Lions, Broncos and Eagles): Malachi Moore (S, Alabama)
131) New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Quincy Riley (CB, Louisville)
132) Chicago Bears (from Bills): Ruban Hyppolite (LB, Maryland)
133) Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State)
134) Denver Broncos (from Eagles through Lions and Eagles): Que Robinson (OLB, Alabama)
135) Las Vegas Raiders (from Dolphins)*: Tonka Hemingway (DT, South Carolina)
136) Tennessee Titans (from Ravens)*: Elic Ayomanor (WR, Stanford)
137) New England Patriots (from Seahawks)*: Joshua Farmer (DT, Florida State)
138) San Francisco 49ers*: Jordan Watkins (WR, Ole Miss)

Round 5

139) Minnesota Vikings (from Browns): Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT, Georgia)
140) Carolina Panthers (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida)
141) Baltimore Ravens (from Titans): Carson Vinson (T, Alabama A&M)
142) Seattle Seahawks (from Jaguars through Texans and Vikings): Rylie Mills (DT, Notre Dame)
143) Miami Dolphins (from Raiders): Jordan Phillips (DT, Maryland)
144) Cleveland Browns (from Patriots through Seahawks): Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
145) Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets): Mac McWilliams (CB, Central Florida)
146) New England Patriots (from Panthers): Bradyn Swinson (OLB, LSU)
147) San Francisco 49ers (from Saints through Commanders): Jordan James (RB, Oregon)
148) Los Angeles Rams (from Bears): Ty Hamilton (DT, Ohio State)
149) Dallas Cowboys: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas)
150) Miami Dolphins: Jason Marshall (CB, Florida)
151) Indianapolis Colts: DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State)
152) Dallas Cowboys (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida)
153) Cincinnati Bengals: Jalen Rivers (T, Miami)
154) New York Giants (from Seahawks): Marcus Mbow (G, Purdue)
155) Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Dante Trader (S, Maryland)
156) Kansas City Chiefs (from Steelers): Jeffrey Bassa (LB, Oregon)
157) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Elijah Roberts (OLB, SMU)
158) Los Angeles Chargers: KeAndre Lambert-Smith (WR, Auburn)
159) Green Bay Packers: Collin Oliver (DE, Oklahoma State)
160) San Francisco 49ers (from Vikings): Marques Sigle (S, Kansas State)
161) Philadelphia Eagles (from Texans): Smael Mondon (LB, Georgia)
162) New York Jets (from Rams through Steelers): Francisco Mauigoa (LB, Miami)
163) Carolina Panthers (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame)
164) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Lions through Browns, Eagles and Chiefs): Yahya Black (DE, Iowa)
165) Los Angeles Chargers (from Commanders through Eagles): Oronde Gadsden II (TE, Syracuse)
166) Seattle Seahawks (from Bills through Texans and Browns): Tory Horton (WR, Colorado State)
167) Tennessee Titans (from Chiefs): Jackson Slater (G, Sacramento State)
168) Philadelphia Eagles: Drew Kendall (C, Boston College)
169) Chicago Bears (from Bills)*: Zah Frazier (CB, Texas-San Antonio)
170) Buffalo Bills (from Cowboys)*: Jordan Hancock (CB, Ohio State)
171) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys through Patriots)*: Miles Frazier (G, LSU)
172) Los Angeles Rams (from Seahawks through Vikings)*: Chris Paul Jr. (LB, Ole Miss)
173) Buffalo Bills*: Jackson Hawes (TE, Georgia Tech)
174) Arizona Cardinals (from Cowboys)*: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State)
175) Seattle Seahawks*: Robbie Ouzts (TE, Alabama)
176) New York Jets (from Ravens)*: Tyler Baron (DE, Miami)

Round 6

177) Buffalo Bills (from Giants): Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech)
178) Baltimore Ravens (from Titans): Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan)
179) Miami Dolphins (from Browns through Texans): Ollie Gordon (RB, Oklahoma State)
180) Las Vegas Raiders: J.J. Pegues (DT, Ole Miss)
181) Philadelphia Eagles (from Patriots through Chargers): Kyle McCord (QB, Syracuse)
182) New England Patriots (from Jaguars through Lions): Andres Borregales (K, Miami)
183) Tennessee Titans (from Panthers through Ravens): Marcus Harris (CB, Cal)
184) New Orleans Saints (reacquired through Commanders): Devin Neal (RB, Kansas)
185) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Bears through Seahawks): Will Howard (QB, Ohio State)
186) Baltimore Ravens (from Jets): Tyler Loop (K, Arizona)
187) Houston Texans (from 49ers through Vikings): Jaylen Reed (S, Penn State)
188) Tennessee Titans (from Cowboys): Kalel Mullings (RB, Michigan)
189) Indianapolis Colts: Riley Leonard (QB, Notre Dame)
190) Indianapolis Colts (from Falcons through Rams): Tim Smith (DT, Alabama)
191) Philadelphia Eagles (from Cardinals through Broncos): Myles Hinton (OL, Michigan)
192) Seattle Seahawks (from Dolphins through Bears): Bryce Cabeldue (G, Kansas)
193) Cincinnati Bengals: Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech)
194) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Seahawks): Jalen McLeod (LB, Auburn)
195) Chicago Bears (from Steelers and Rams): Luke Newman (G, Michigan State)
196) Detroit Lions (from Buccaneers): Ahmed Hassanein (OLB, Boise State)
197) Houston Texans (from Broncos): Graham Mertz (QB, Florida)
198) Green Bay Packers: Warren Brinson (DT, Georgia)
199) Los Angeles Chargers: Branson Taylor (G, Pittsburgh)
200) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings through Browns): Rayuan Lane (S, Navy)
201) Minnesota Vikings (from Rams): Kobe King (LB, Penn State)
202) Minnesota Vikings (from Texans through Steelers, Bears and Rams): Gavin Bartholomew (TE, Pittsburgh)
203) Baltimore Ravens: LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado)
204) Dallas Cowboys (from Lions through Browns via Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon)
205) Washington Commanders: Kain Medrano (LB, UCLA)
206) Buffalo Bills: Chase Lundt (T, UConn)
207) Philadelphia Eagles (from Chiefs): Cameron Williams (T, Texas)
208) Carolina Panthers (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado)
209) Philadelphia Eagles (from Chargers)*: Antwaun Powell-Ryland (DE, Virginia Tech)
210) Baltimore Ravens*: Aeneas Peebles (DT, Virginia Tech)
211) Arizona Cardinals (from Cowboys)*: Hayden Conner (G, Texas)
212) Baltimore Ravens*: Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers)
213) Las Vegas Raiders*: Tommy Mellott (QB/WR, Montana State)
214) Los Angeles Chargers*: R.J. Mickens (S, Clemson)
215) Las Vegas Raiders*: Cam Miller (QB, North Dakota State)
216) Denver Broncos (from Browns through Texans)*: Jeremy Crawshaw (P, Florida)

Round 7

217) Dallas Cowboys (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA)
218) Atlanta Falcons (from Browns through Chargers): Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin)
219) New York Giants: Thomas Fidone III (TE, Nebraska)
220) New England Patriots: Marcus Bryant (T, Missouri)
221) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonah Monheim (C, USC)
222) Las Vegas Raiders: Cody Lindenberg (LB, Minnesota)
223) Seattle Seahawks (from Saints through Eagles via Steelers): Damien Martinez (RB, Miami)
224) Houston Texans (from Bears through Texans): Kyonte Hamilton (DT, Rutgers)
225) Arizona Cardinals (from Jets through Chiefs): Kitan Crawford (S, Nevada)
226) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Panthers and Chiefs): Carson Bruener (LB, Washington)
227) San Francisco 49ers: Kurtis Rourke (QB, Indiana)
228) Kansas City Chiefs (from Cowboys through Lions via Patriots): Brashard Smith (RB, SMU)
229) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Falcons through Eagles): Donte Kent (CB, Central Michigan)
230) Detroit Lions (from Cardinals through Panthers and Broncos): Dan Jackson (S, Georgia)
231) Miami Dolphins: Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)
232) Indianapolis Colts: Hunter Wohler (S, Wisconsin)
233) Chicago Bears (from Bengals): Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers)
234) Seattle Seahawks: Mason Richman (T, Iowa)
235) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tez Johnson (WR ,Oregon)
236) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Broncos through Eagles, Commanders and Texans): LeQuint Allen (RB, Syracuse)
237) Green Bay Packers (from Steelers): Micah Robinson (CB, Tulane)
238) Seattle Seahawks from Chargers through Patriots): Ricky White (WR, UNLV)
239) Dallas Cowboys (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson)
240) Buffalo Bills (from Vikings through Browns and Bears): Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland)
241) Denver Broncos (from Texans): Caleb Lohner (TE, Utah)
242) Los Angeles Rams (reacquired from Falcons): Konata Mumpfield (WR, Pittsburgh)
243) Baltimore Ravens: Garrett Dellinger (G, LSU)
244) Detroit Lions: Dominic Lovett (WR, Georgia)
245) Washington Commanders: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Arizona)
246) New York Giants (from Bills): Korie Black (CB, Oklahoma State)
247) Dallas Cowboys (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland)
248) New Orleans Saints (from Eagles through Commanders): Moliki Matavao (TE, UCLA)
249) San Francisco 49ers*: Connor Colby (G, Iowa)
250) Green Bay Packers*: John Williams (G, Cincinnati)
251) New England Patriots (from Chiefs)*: Julian Ashby (LS, Vanderbilt)
252) San Francisco 49ers*: Junior Bergen (WR, Montana)
253) Miami Dolphins*: Zeek Biggers (DT, Georgia Tech)
254) New Orleans Saints*: Fadil Diggs (DE, Syracuse)
255) Houston Texans (from Browns)*: Luke Lachey (TE, Iowa)
256) Los Angeles Chargers*: Trikweze Bridges (CB, Florida)
257) New England Patriots (from Chiefs)* Kobee Minor (CB, Memphis)

* = compensatory pick

Giants To Decline OL Evan Neal’s Fifth-Year Option

April 26th, 2025 at 8:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

Over the course of his three years with the Giants, Evan Neal has not lived up to expectations. As a result, the team has expectedly decided not to pick up his 2026 fifth-year option.

After the draft, general manager Joe Schoen said (via Ralph Vacciano of Fox Sports) Neal’s option will be declined. Exercising it would have set up the former No. 7 pick to collect $16.69MM in 2026. Considering how things have gone to date, that figure would not have been feasible. Instead, Neal will enter the coming campaign as a pending free agent.

The Alabama product operated as a starter at the right tackle spot during his rookie season, one which did not yield the desired results. The following year, Neal was limited to seven games but when healthy he continued to struggle. Talk of a move to guard took place in 2024, but he remained at tackle during the year. Improvement was seen in terms of PFF evaluation – especially with respect to run blocking – but as things stand Neal is not in position to operate as a starter.

For the coming campaign, a move inside could very well be in store. New York has veteran Greg Van Roten in place at the right guard spot, and keeping him atop the depth chart would relegate Neal, 24, to backup duties. The Giants were named as a team to watch regarding an early addition along the interior of the offensive line; the team’s only addition in that regard, though, was Purdue’s Marcus Mbow in the fifth round.

Of course, today’s news leaves the door open to Neal continuing his career in the Big Apple beyond next season. For that to be likely, however, a notable turnaround will be needed given where things currently stand. It will be interesting to see where Neal lines up during spring practices and training camp as he attempts to help his value to his current team or another one ahead of next offseason.

Both the guard and tackle markets have proven to be relatively strong in the case of players without a lengthy track record of success. Given his age, Neal could land a relatively notable deal if he shows signs of development in 2025. He will do so knowing his future beyond the coming season is uncertain.

2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

April 25th, 2025 at 2:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:

DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM): Exercised
T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM): Declined
WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM)
T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM): Exercised
WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM)
WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM)
S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM)
G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM)
WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM)
WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM): Likely to be declined
T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM): Declined
CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($17.6MM): Exercised
LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Likely to be declined
CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM)
G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM)
DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM)
DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM)
G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM)
DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM): Exercised
DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($12.68MM): To be exercised
S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A

* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025

Giants Draft Fallout: Wilson, Dart, Daboll, Sanders, Schoen, Browns, Rams, Pack, Vikes

April 25th, 2025 at 1:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Post-draft, Brian Daboll confirmed Russell Wilson will remain the Giants‘ starter entering the season. Considering Jaxson Dart‘s profile, it should not be expected the former Ole Miss and USC passer would have a good chance to overtake Wilson before the season. But Daboll and GM Joe Schoen’s New York fates are almost definitely tethered to Dart now.

After passing on Michael Penix, J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix last year, the Giants traded three Day 2 picks to land Dart at No. 25. They did not view any of the non-Cam Ward QBs in this class as worthy of No. 3 overall, where Abdul Carter went as expected. But the decision to go with Dart over Shedeur Sanders provided a signature sequence during this draft’s opening night.

A pre-draft report indicated the Giants were split on Sanders (as the Dart pairing gained steam), and while the QB still had support in the building going into the draft, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan indicates the Colorado prospect’s momentum cooled as the coaches became involved in the evaluation process. Rumblings of Daboll preferring Dart look to have been accurate. The Giants did more work on Sanders compared to Dart, per the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard, who indicates Schoen scouted on in-person Dart performance. Conversely, a pre-draft assessment tabbed the fourth-year Giants GM as having “lived in Boulder.”

It would appear Daboll drove the bus for Dart, as Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz offers, and teams’ reported issues with Sanders’ attitude look to have included a Giants encounter. A Daboll-Sanders pre-draft meeting did not go well, according to The Ringer’s Todd McShay (via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy). A quarterback who had entered the pre-draft process as a fairly safe top-10 pick fell out of the first round, with Giants and Steelers decisions defining the second-generation NFL prospect’s night. The Steelers chose Oregon D-lineman Derrick Harmon four picks before the Giants moved back into Round 1 for Dart.

The Giants initially contacted other teams about trading up, as Duggan adds Schoen saw some of his offers to move back up rejected. We heard midway through the first round the Giants had launched their effort to move back into Round 1 — a rumored pursuit that we now know was Dart-based — but he did not see the offers gain much traction until around 22.

The Steelers passing undoubtedly intensified the Giants’ effort to land their second-favorite QB in this class (after Ward trade efforts failed). The Chargers passed to draft Omarion Hampton, but the Texans allowed the Giants to move up three spots later. It cost the team Nos. 34, 99 and a 2026 third-round pick. The Giants held a second third-rounder this year, helping move the trade across the goal line.

Green Bay and Minnesota turned down trade offers for the Nos. 23 and 24 overall picks, according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman and the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling. It is safe to assume Schoen made calls to both NFC North teams, as he was leery of another QB-needy club swooping in. The Browns, Saints and Rams had been connected to making a move at this juncture of the draft, while the Steelers’ need remained after their Harmon pick.

Several teams made the Packers offers, Brian Gutekunst said. Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said talks intensified shortly before his team’s No. 24 pick. In addition to the QB-needy lot, the Falcons were angling to move up for edge rusher James Pearce Jr., which they did (via the Rams) at No. 26. That move cost a first-round pick, while the Giants escaped without needing to part with their 2026 first.

New York’s move came in part because of a fear the Browns were eyeing Dart, ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan tweets. Other teams shared this view, even though a draft-day report connected the Steelers, Rams and Saints to Dart. Though, the Browns were able to keep their Travis Hunter negotiations with the Jaguars quiet for weeks; they look to have done the same with Dart. Holding the top pick in Round 2 and a second selection three spots later (thanks to the Hunter swap), Cleveland now has its choice of the remaining QBs. The team could have put together an enticing package to move up, but it stood down. The Giants just made sure the AFC North club could not choose Dart. The Rams were not a factor for Dart, per Raanan and SNY’s Connor Hughes.

Although the Giants were still meeting on QBs this week, per Schoen, Leonard adds Daboll and Dart had begun texting daily after the Giants sent a sizable contingent to Ole Miss’ mid-March pro day. That communication understandably cooled before the draft, leaving Dart in the dark, but he will be asked to do what Daniel Jones could not. (That said, Jones was still a six-year Giants starter.) His tenure, however, moved Daboll and Schoen to the hot seat. Considering Jones was a Dave Gettleman pick, it had always seemed logical — despite the Wilson and Jameis Winston signings — this regime would tab its QB in this draft.

The Giants will aim to give Dart a full-season redshirt, Duggan adds. A previous plan did not get off the ground, as Jones replaced Eli Manning in Week 2 of his rookie season. Wilson’s post-Seattle play also may not be enough to hold off Dart, but the RPO-based college passer will almost definitely require some in-season acclimation time. Calls for the rookie will likely be loud, especially as the Giants’ schedule includes eight games against the NFC North and AFC West — not to mention the four against the teams that played for the NFC title last season.

The Schoen-Daboll regime also stands to be eager to sink or swim with a quarterback it drafted, rather than allow Wilson to steer the ship too far off course while John Mara evaluates the current power structure’s future. Going into training camp, however, Wilson will have a firm grip on the job. This will be new territory for the potential Hall of Famer, however, as he has not needed to fend off a highly drafted rookie previously.

Giants To Exercise Kayvon Thibodeaux’s Fifth-Year Option

April 25th, 2025 at 8:09am CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 25: Carter indeed became the Giants’ pick at No. 3, but Schoen confirmed (via The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson) the Giants will exercise Thibodeaux’s 2026 option. The Giants will now have their formidable three-EDGE group signed beyond 2025. Burns’ deal runs through 2028, while Carter’s rookie-scale contract — which will include a fifth-year option — can go through 2029.

APRIL 24: While their attention remains focused on the opening round of tonight’s draft, the Giants will soon have a decision to make with respect to Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s short-term future. May 1 looms as the deadline to exercise or decline his fifth-year option.

In February, it was reported New York could be expected to pick up the option for 2026. Doing so would put Thibodeaux in line to collect $14.75MM that season, a figure well short of the top of the current edge rush market. The former fifth overall pick has battled inconsistency during his first three years in the league, however, something which has made the looming option decision a talking point.

On that note, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports the Giants are still “likely” to exercise Thibodeaux’s option. The 24-year-old has plenty of time to develop further, and a repeat of his 11.5-sack 2023 campaign would certainly make a short-term investment worthwhile. With 2024 trade acquisition Brian Burns already attached to a lucrative deal, though, moving on from Thibodeaux and replacing him with a rookie like Abdul Carter tonight has been mentioned as a possible maneuver for general manager Joe Schoen and Co.

As Schwartz writes, however, the Giants’ plans on the Thibodeaux front are unlikely to change even if Carter (seen by many as the favorite for the No. 3 pick) is selected. The Penn State product has experience as an inside linebacker, something which could help New York find ways to keep him along with Thibodeaux and Burns on the field together. Especially if the Giants elect to keep Thibodeaux in the fold for at least the next two years, the matter of a long-term arrangement will become something to watch.

The Oregon product has expressed a desire to remain in the Big Apple, although he does not expect negotiations on a multi-year accord to take place this offseason. Thibodeaux’s production in terms of sacks and pressures took a notable step back in 2024 compared to the previous campaign. That can partially be attributed to the fact he was limited to 12 games last year, but questions remain about the potential for a long-term stretch of production matching the talent he showed in college.

The Giants currently sit mid-pack in the NFL in projected 2026 cap space, and absorbing a spike in pay with respect to Thibodeaux that year would not be a challenge. By this time next week, it will be known if he will remain in place beyond the coming campaign.

Giants Acquire No. 25, Select QB Jaxson Dart

April 24th, 2025 at 11:22pm CST by Ben Levine

There was some speculation about the Giants jumping back into the first round as they pursued a QB, and the front office has made that a reality. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports that the team has acquired pick No. 25 from the Texans. The Giants will use their new pick to select Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart.

Full trade details:

Giants acquire:

2025 first-round pick (No. 25)

Texans acquire:

2025 second-round pick (No. 34)
2025 third-round pick (No. 99)
2026 third-round pick

With the Titans committed to Cam Ward at No. 1, holding there despite multiple Giants offers (one of which including the team’s 2026 first-round pick), Big Blue pivoted to the draft’s second wave of QBs. The team did extensive homework on some of the draft’s other top passing prospects. That included Dart, but it also included Shedeur Sanders, who was generally considered the second-best player at his position.

There was some speculation that a team could make a move up the draft board to select the Colorado product early in the first round, and there was some belief that the Giants could even ignore the draft’s blue chip prospects and simply use No. 3 on Sanders. Instead, Sanders — after a report the Giants were split on the two-year Colorado starter — ended up falling all the way to No. 25, and the Giants made the move…to select Dart.

It’s a pretty stunning development, but it may not be as much of an indictment on Sanders as it is a vote of confidence for Dart. The Ole Miss product recently came up as a player Brian Daboll liked, and the prospect quickly evolved from a potential Day 2 pick into a potential Day 1 pick throughout the pre-draft process. Daboll-Dart connections had developed for a bit leading up to the draft, and the fourth-year HC may well be staking his job on the SEC prospect — after Dave Gettleman-era draftee Daniel Jones defined the first three years of Daboll and GM Joe Schoen‘s tenure.

Dart had three strong seasons at Ole Miss, but he took it to another level in 2024. The prospect finished the campaign having completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. Dart also continued to show some ability on the ground, compiling 495 rushing yards on 124 carries. Thanks to an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl, Dart separated himself from the likes of Quinn Ewers and Jalen Milroe…and he apparently did enough to jump Sanders on the draft board.

Dart, 22 in May, will now join a Giants squad that was clearly hunting for a future signal caller. The Giants obviously believe in Dart’s ability considering the investment, but with Daboll and Schoen on the hot seat, leadership may not be inclined to immediately toss the rookie into the starting lineup.

The Jones era came to an end last season, and Tommy DeVito is the only holdover from the former QB grouping. Since free agency started, the team added a pair of notable veterans in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and both of those players will surely sit above their new rookie teammate on the depth chart. Wilson notably only inked a one-year contract with New York, and while Winston’s deal is for two seasons, Dart could have a pathway to a starting gig in 2026. Whether the current regime is around to see it remains to be seen.

Giants Attempting To Trade Back Into First Round

April 24th, 2025 at 9:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Abdul Carter‘s status as the clear-cut top prospect available to the Giants at No. 3 led to the team bolstering an area at which it already had made considerable investments. As a quarterback need remains, the team is following through on a previously rumored effort to attempt to move back into Round 1.

The Giants are indeed attempting to climb back into the first round, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. It would stand to reason this effort is aimed at landing a quarterback. The Giants were unable to leapfrog the Steelers, however, though it is not known if they made a firm offer to climb in front of the QB-needy team.

Linked to both Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart today, the Giants have done extensive homework on both players. Both remain on the board, as the Steelers went with Oregon D-lineman Derrick Harmon. The Giants would have more avenues back into Round 1, obviously, and it will be interesting to see what they are willing to give up. New York holds the No. 34 overall pick. At this rate, one of Dart or Sanders could still be on the board by then.

Both might, but the Browns, Saints and Steelers stand to join them in the much-rumored derby to trade up for a passer. The Browns also have an extra second-round pick to use for such a purpose. Brian Daboll-Dart connections had emerged, but a Thursday report indicated Sanders sat second among QBs on the Giants’ big board. That being true would certainly point to a Sanders-based trade-up, but Dart rumors have been fairly steady here. And the Rams (No. 26) were connected to Dart — along with the Saints and Steelers — earlier today.

With Daboll and Joe Schoen on hot seats, the Giants may need to come out of this draft with a long-term hopeful. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston do not inspire much confidence, even if Carter strengthens their pass rush. The second wave of QB options awaits, and the Giants are a key place to monitor.

Giants Select Abdul Carter At No. 3

April 24th, 2025 at 7:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

While a surprise took place with the second overall pick, things have gone according to plan with the Giants. New York has retained the No. 3 pick and used it on Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Carter becomes the second pass rusher taken in the top five picks by New York in the past four drafts, joining Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was drafted No. 5 overall by in 2022.

For a while, it was unclear whether or not Carter was truly destined for New York. We continued to see calls from the Giants as they attempted to land the No. 1 overall pick from Tennessee as well as calls into New York as teams considered trading up to get Carter. There were even rumors that Carter was still in play to land in Cleveland at No. 2 overall. Ultimately, everything stayed as planned, and the Giants walk away with a player many considered the best prospect in the draft class.

Carter graded out as college football’s second-best edge rusher in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. His 12.0 sacks this season were good for seventh in the nations, and he led the NCAA with 23.5 tackles for loss. He finished his collegiate career as the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American.

Carter joins a pass rushing group that is currently led by Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. Thibodeaux is headed into the final guaranteed year of his rookie contract, but the Giants are expected to exercise his fifth-year option. Burns, on the other hand, is under contract through the 2028 season and should be around for Carter’s first few years in the league.

Carter should immediately push Thibodeaux for starting reps opposite Burns. At the very least, the Giants now have three starting caliber pass rushers that they can employ in any combination. Regardless of their needs, Big Blue walks away with one of the draft’s top prospects at No. 3 overall.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

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