Shavon Revel

2025 NFL Draft Rumors: Saints, Packers, Falcons, Revel

The Saints continue to stay busy having visits with 2025 NFL Draft prospects, according to multiple reports from Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.

Last night, the team hosted several Georgia players for dinner, including a top defensive end prospect in Mykel Williams as well as wide receiver Arian Smith. They also reportedly had dinner this week with Pittsburgh tight end Gavin Bartholomew, a likely Day 3 prospect whose name has not been making the rounds this early in the process. Lastly, the team was in Knoxville today reportedly meeting with some Tennessee players, including running back Dylan Sampson and defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott.

Underhill adds that the team has been doing a ton of work during the pre-draft process on running backs. Even though lead back Alvin Kamara had a career-high 950 rushing yards in 2024, combined with 543 receiving yards, the sheer depth of this year’s class of running back prospects nearly ensures that quality backs will be available into the fourth or fifth round. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has eight running backs listed in his top 100 prospects list, so it makes sense that New Orleans is doing its homework on the position.

Here are a few other rumors concerning possibilities in the 2025 NFL Draft:

  • The Packers currently have eight picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but if general manager Brian Gutekunst has anything to say about it, they could be angling for more. According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, when asked about not having many picks this year, Gutekunst added the addendum “yet” to the end of the statement, indicating that he would have some interest in acquiring more picks via trade. Green Bay currently sits at No. 23 overall in the first round. It’s been posited that many teams from pick No. 20 on are looking to trade back out of the first round due to a lack of elite, top-end talent in this year’s class, as opposed to the tremendous depth the class seems to provide. Unfortunately, due to that same issue, there are going to be few, if any, takers willing to give up precious draft capital to move up into the first round.
  • One trend we seem to be seeing shows the Falcons as likely candidates to go defense in the first round of the draft. Josh Kendall of The Athletic selected safety Nick Emmanwori in the site’s beat writer mock draft, and the other players he says he considered with the pick, safety Malaki Starks, linebackers Jalon Walker and Jihaad Campbell, cornerback Will Johnson, and edges Mike Green and Shemar Stewart, all reside on the defensive side of the ball. Kendall bases this belief that the team will go defense off of new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich wanting to build a new, uniquely hybrid defense.
  • Lastly, Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network reported today that the Cowboys will be hosting East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel for a top-30 visit next week. We know that Revel is attempting to make a comeback from a torn ACL that ended his final collegiate season after only three games and that he is projected to be back in time for training camp. What makes this an interesting visit is that, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS, Revel’s ACL repair surgery was performed by Cowboys team doctor Dan Cooper, likely giving the franchise a uniquely exclusive insight on his prognosis and recovery.

Draft Rumors: Visits, Green, Nolen, RBs

As the 2025 NFL Draft continues to draw nigh, teams are beginning to do their due diligence on each prospect, including hosting several for visits.

A perfect example of this saw the Saints host a bevy of Longhorns for a dinner last night, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. The list of Texas prospects included possible first-rounders cornerback Jahdae Barron and wide receiver Matthew Golden as well as defensive tackle Vernon Broughton and quarterback Quinn Ewers.

The Saints weren’t the only team to spend time with Ewers yesterday, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Both the Jets and Raiders sent staffers to meet with the 22-year-old in Austin prior to the team’s pro day. Ewers has several visits planned following today’s pro day, as well, including meetings with the Cowboys, Colts, and Raiders, again, in early April.

Another potential Longhorn first-rounder, wide receiver Isaiah Bond, has also reportedly set up a number of visits following today’s pro day, per CJ Vogel of On Texas Football. Bond apparently has top-30 visits scheduled in the next month with the Falcons, Bears, Packers, and Rams.

Here are some more rumors concerning the 2025 NFL Draft:

  • East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. is making the rounds, as well. After previously meeting with New Orleans, Revel reportedly visited the Texans on Friday, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Revel is attempting to make a speedy recovery from a torn ACL that ended his final collegiate season after only three games. He’s reportedly on track to be ready to return in time for training camp.
  • One of Revel’s top competitors at the position in this year’s class, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, is set to meet with the Raiders, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Johnson has already met with the Falcons and reportedly met with the Cardinals already, as well.
  • Already having met with the Saints and Falcons, Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. is set to meet with several other franchises, per Wilson. One of the top tackle options in the class, Conerly has visits planned with the Texans, Eagles, Commanders, Bengals, and Bears. Wilson adds that, at the NFL Scouting Combine, Conerly already formerly met with the Texans, Jets, Titans, Patriots, Raiders, Commanders, and 49ers.
  • Marshall’s pro day garnered a few more visitors than usual today, thanks to the presence of potential first-round pass rusher Mike Green. According to Tony Pauline of sportskeeda, while several teams sent personnel to check Green out, the Falcons sent most of their front office as well as head coach Raheem Morris. Pauline adds that the Commanders also held a significant presence at the pass rusher’s pro day.
  • Due to the draft being more deep than top-heavy, there are several prospects who receive a wide range of opinions on when and where they’ll go in the draft. According to Matt Miller of ESPN, though, no player has a wider range than Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Transferring within the conference from Texas A&M for the final year of his collegiate career, Nolen had a strong, consensus All-American season with the Rebels, totaling 48 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss. Despite the impressive performance, Miller claims that “teams are torn on (Nolen’s) lack of refined pass-rush moves,” resulting in projections from the top 10 all the way back to the second round.
  • Last year was the second time in the three years that we saw no running backs taken in the first round of the draft. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, we could see two running backs hear their names called on Day 1 of the event this year. A running backs coach told Schultz that “there’s no way (Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty) falls outside the top 15-20 picks.” Jeanty has been projected in multiple mock drafts to both the Raiders at No. 6 overall and the Cowboys at No. 12. While the position is deep, with players like Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, Ohio State’s duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, Miami’s Damien Martinez, and several others, it’s North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton who may have played himself into the first round with Jeanty. Schultz claims that a personnel director told him the only thing Hampton needed to do in order to go in Round 1 was run in the 4.4’s at the combine, and Hampton ran a 4.46. He may not get taken as high as Jeanty, but he should still be considered a first-round candidate come the end of April.

NFC South Notes: Visits, Saints, Legette

With the Combine in the books and Pro Days taking place, top-30 visits are currently a key aspect of the pre-draft process. Several notable prospects have already met with prospective teams, and that will continue over the coming days and weeks.

Shemar Stewart is one of many highly-regarded edge rushers in the 2025 class, and he impressed at the Combine. The Texas A&M product likely helped his stock in the process, and he recently met with the Falcons, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Adding along the edge would be a logical move on Atlanta’s part after the team ranked 31st in sacks last season.

2024 trade acquisition Matt Judon remains unsigned, and he could very well depart on the open market. The Falcons added a veteran in the form of Leonard Floyd, but a long-term investment with the 15th overall pick in April’s draft would not come as a surprise. After totaling only 4.5 sacks in three college seasons, questions loom about Stewart’s lack of production, but the 6-5, 267-pounder is viewed as having considerable upside based on his size and athleticism.

Beginning with more visits, here are some other NFC South notes:

  • Both the Falcons and Saints have lined up meetings with offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The Oregon product operated as the team’s full-time left tackle starter for each of the past two seasons, and he could operate as a first-team option at either tackle spot at the NFL level. The 2025 class is not seen as being strong at the OT position, but Conerly is among the prospects routinely labeled as a first-rounder.
  • New Orleans has also met with cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., per Wilson. The East Carolina product entered the season with high expectations, but an ACL tear ended his campaign in September. Revel continues to make progress in his recovery, and he is expected to be cleared in time for the summer. That should help his draft stock to an extent, and the Saints (having lost Paulson Adebo in free agency) will not be the only team to host Revel.
  • Xavier Legette missed only one game as a rookie, but the Panthers wideout dealt with a number of ailments along the way. The first-rounder underwent foot surgery after the campaign, general manager Dan Morgan said (via ESPN’s David Newton). No procedure took place on his wrist despite the lingering issues it caused in 2024, though. Head coach Dave Canales said he is unsure if Legette will be cleared in time for OTAs (h/t Joe Person of The Athletic), but being at full strength at least in time for training camp can be expected.
  • Cedrick Wilson is one of many Saints who has worked out a restructured deal this offseason. The veteran wideout agreed to a pay cut, as detailed by Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Wilson was due $2.9MM in 2025, but he will now receive $1.17MM with $342K guaranteed. The 29-year-old – who made 20 catches in his debut Saints campaign – is a pending 2026 free agent.
  • Another defender the Falcons have met with (along with Stewart and safety Nick Emmanwori) is cornerback Will Johnson. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports Johnson has visited Atlanta, a team which already has A.J. Terrell in the fold and re-signed Mike Hughes on a three-year deal last week. Johnson earned third-team All-American honors in 2024, cementing his status as one of the top corner in the 2025 class. He will generate considerable interest as the pre-draft process continues.
  • New Orleans recently became Velus Jones‘ latest team. The former Bears draftee did not develop as hoped in Chicago, with a position change (from receiver to running back) proving to be short-lived. The 27-year-old briefly switched back to WR upon joining the Panthers late in 2024, but he will find himself in the backfield this offseason. Triplett’s colleague Nick Underhill notes the Saints view Jones as a running back. It is at that position that he will therefore compete for a roster spot this summer.

Draft Rumors: Carter, Walker, Miami, Loveland

The NFL Scouting Combine starts tomorrow, February 27, and will continue through Sunday, March 2. In a prospect pool that has been reportedly devoid of top-end talent but full of starters and contributors, the combine will be a prime opportunity for players to display their most impressive attributes and stand out.

One of the few elite players in the class who does not need to display anything at the combine, Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter will reportedly not be working out this weekend, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Carter is still recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered in the team’s playoff game versus Boise State, an injury he played through against the Fighting Irish in the following round of the 12-team playoff.

Per Turron Davenport, also of ESPN, Carter claims to be at about 90 percent. Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has sent a letter to all NFL teams informing them that his client has been cleared to resume training and will be cleared to workout in time for his pro day on March 28.

Here are a few other draft and combine rumors before the event starts tomorrow:

  • Similarly, Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker will not be working out at the combine, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. He is currently working his way back from a quad injury. He plans to workout at his school’s pro day, as well.
  • We’ve already heard that Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders will not throw at the combine, choosing to focus solely on team interviews, but Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), and Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) will all reportedly throw this weekend, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. A determination has not yet been made for Miami passer Cam Ward, who is expected to challenge for the top pick in the draft with Carter and Sanders.
  • One of Ward’s top targets in Coral Gables, tight end Elijah Arroyo, will unfortunately not be participating this weekend, per Rapoport. Arroyo made waves at the Senior Bowl as an incredibly athletic mismatch for any defender, linebacker or defensive back. Unfortunately, at the same event, he suffered a knee injury that will hold him out in Indianapolis. He is expected to be ready to workout at his pro day on March 24.
  • Carter wasn’t the only prospect who had a doctor send a letter on his behalf this week. Notorious sports medicine specialist Dr. Neal Elattrache sent out a letter to all 32 teams claiming that Michigan tight end Colston Loveland will be able to participate in minicamp and will be fully cleared in time for training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery last month, per Schefter. As the letter insinuates, Loveland will be unavailable to work out at the combine or his pro day.
  • Lastly, we saw one more letter going out, this one from Dr. Daniel Cooper, the surgeon who performed an ACL reconstruction on East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel back in October. Cooper tells the league that Revel is on schedule to be fully cleared by the summer. Revel will still attend the combine for interviews and medical checks, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

ECU CB Shavon Revel Declares For 2025 Draft

One of the first 2025 NFL Draft prospects we talked about this year, East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel is also one of the first to officially declare for the draft, forgoing his final year of collegiate eligibility, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Revel made headlines back in September when what would become his final year of college football came to an early end after only three games due to a torn ACL.

Revel’s rise through the football ranks was a rapid one, though it took a moment to jumpstart. Out of high school, Revel went the junior college route, making his mark at Louisburg College. Despite starring for the Hurricanes of Louisburg, Revel didn’t attract much attention, ranking as a three-star JuCo recruit before signing with the Pirates. Even in his first year in Greenville, Revel was quiet, tallying only eight tackles.

Revel’s college breakout occurred the next year. As a junior, Revel earned a stubborn reputation as the AAC’s lockdown cornerback. He only picked off one pass that year, but his 13 passes defensed led the conference. He was electric, finding his way into the offensive backfield for four tackles for loss and a sack and returning a fumble for a touchdown. It was thought that, after his dominant season, offenses wouldn’t test him as much in 2024. Instead, Revel answered a continuing challenge with two passes defensed and two interceptions — one returned 50 yards for a touchdown — in only three contests.

Despite missing almost the entire 2024 season, Revel still ranks extremely high in early prospect rankings. When the injury occurred, ESPN ranked Revel as the second-best cornerback prospect (not including Colorado’s two-way player Travis Hunter, who announced his intentions to declare yesterday) and the 14th-best overall prospect. Dane Brugler of The Athletic and ESPN’s Mel Kiper both have Revel trailing only Michigan’s Will Johnson and Hunter at the cornerback position now.

Brugler’s ranking (from before the injury) has Revel the highest at 12th overall, while Kiper dropped him a bit down to 23rd. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) dropped him the hardest, at 35th overall, and ranked Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who also suffered a season-ending injury, and Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos ahead of him.

Revel’s ideal frame, impressive speed, and elite ability to locate the ball in the air have been enough to keep scouts interested despite his injury. Teams will be keeping a close eye on his recovery over the next few months, but Revel is still likely to hear his name called in the first two rounds of the draft. After drawing early comparisons to another Group of 5 talent in Quinyon Mitchell, who has excelled as a rookie out of Toledo, Revel has a good chance of getting selected on the first night of the draft.

Top CB Prospect Shavon Revel Tears ACL

It’s way too early in the season to be producing any significant draft content. Unlike last year, when Caleb Williams was Sharpied in as the No. 1 overall pick shortly after the prior year’s draft, there doesn’t appear to be any sure things in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Still, one of college football’s most exciting cornerbacks, Shavon Revel of East Carolina, was a good bet to be a Day 1 selection. That draft stock took a hit today with a torn ACL that will end Revel’s senior season, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Revel’s path in football has not been a usual one. Heading to junior college out of high school, Revel was a major piece for the Louisburg College Hurricanes. Still, he didn’t jump off the page as a JuCo recruit, and as a three-star corner, Revel signed with the nearby Pirates.

His first year with the team didn’t amount to much as he appeared in nine games and only totaled eight tackles. Revel broke out in his junior year last season. He gained a reputation as a lockdown corner in the AAC, recording 13 passes defensed and an interception. His electricity showed up all over the field, helping him tally four tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble return for a touchdown, as well. His senior season was off to a hot start, too. In only three games, Revel already had two passes defensed and two interceptions, including one that he returned for a 50-yard touchdown.

ESPN’s draft specialists were extremely high on Revel in early rankings. Mel Kiper listed him as the second-best cornerback prospect behind only Michigan corner Will Johnson (and, technically, Colorado’s Travis Hunter). Jordan Reid, Matt Miller, and Field Yates all ranked Revel in their top-five players at the position, as well, with Reid even tagging him as the No. 14 overall player in the class.

It’ll be interesting to see how the injury impacts Revel’s draft stock moving forward. Revel was being compared to another top Group of 5 talent in Quinyon Mitchell, a first-round pick for the Eagles this past year. With elite size at 6-foot-3, 193 pounds, and amazing production in the short sample of a year where most expected quarterbacks to avoid him, Revel will almost certainly hear his name called at some point next April. Exactly when he hears his name called, though, will depend on his recovery and his interviews in the pre-draft process.