2025 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

Browns To Give Dillon Gabriel Chance To Start

April 26th, 2025 at 10:36am CST by Sam Robinson

Perhaps the most surprising piece of Shedeur Sanders‘ fall — a tumble that has largely overshadowed the 2025 draft — came late Friday night, when the Browns circled back to their quarterback pick. Rather than Sanders, Cleveland went with Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel.

Ranked 148th on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board (128 spots behind Sanders), Gabriel went to the Browns at No. 94. The former Ducks standout also checks in at 5-foot-11. Transferring from Central Florida to Oklahoma to Oregon in a six-year college run, Gabriel impressed the Browns to the point he will be given a chance to start, Kevin Stefanski said (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot).

The Browns went through multiple meetings with Gabriel over the past month, according to The Athletic’s Zac Jackson, who does not envision the undersized prospect making a strong case for the starting role. As it stands, the Browns will send a QB room of Gabriel, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett into their offseason program. Although Deshaun Watson is technically still on the team, it would be borderline shocking if he threw another regular-season pass for the team that burned three first-round picks on him as part of what is likely the worst trade in NFL history.

Unlike No. 40 overall Saints pick Tyler Shough, Gabriel started throughout his lengthy college career. He posted three 30-touchdown pass seasons — one at Central Florida, one at Oklahoma, one at Oregon — and the Browns certainly saw scrutinized 2023 Ducks starter Bo Nix prove many wrong via a strong rookie season. Gabriel stepped into Nix’s place in Eugene and threw 30 TD passes during a season that saw him finish as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Gabriel finished third in the Heisman voting — behind only Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty — but was not labeled as a comparable prospect heading into the draft.

Sanders was — for a while. The Colorado prospect went from being tabbed a potential No. 2 overall option for the Browns to being a fairly safe bet for a top-10 selection to falling out of Round 1 altogether. A tumble out of Round 1 came up as a possibility shortly before the draft, but no one foresaw the high-profile passer falling out of Round 3. The Browns made four picks Friday night, but their Gabriel move almost definitely will send Sanders elsewhere. GM Andrew Berry referred to Sanders as an “impressive young man,” but added (via the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram’s Scott Petrak) that “sometimes fit comes into play.” The Browns both used a “30” visit on Sanders and then worked him out.

As teams certainly appear to be shying away from Sanders due to his attitude and persona, deeming his play insufficient to negate those factors, the Browns did address their quarterback issue. The Steelers still have not. The Giants and Saints also found their younger options, in Jaxson Dart and Shough. The Browns passed on the latter twice to start Round 2, taking Carson Schwesinger and Quinshon Judkins. The Giants viewed the Browns as a threat for Dart, but after the Ole Miss QB went 25th overall, it took until No. 94 for Cleveland to bring a passer in.

The Browns will have a prime 2026 asset to potentially put toward an earlier QB investment, having acquired the Jaguars’ ’26 first-rounder in the Hunter swap. Cleveland’s own 2025 quarterback situation, Flacco’s 2023 form notwithstanding, does not create an enviable QB setup. It is quite possible Cleveland will carry two high picks in 2026, and while it is too early to project that, next year’s draft would be a clear gateway to the Browns finally moving on from Watson with a first-round investment at the position.

Seahawks Trade Up To 35th Pick To Draft Nick Emmanwori

April 26th, 2025 at 8:20am CST by Nikhil Mehta

TODAY, 8:20am: The Seahawks were so high on Nick Emmanwori, the team attempted to trade up to the first round to acquire him. John Schneider acknowledged as much last night, stating the team almost traded back into the first round to select the South Carolina safety. Instead, the Seahawks managed to snag the prospect by moving up towards the beginning of the second round.

“If we would have come out of the draft without him, we would have been disappointed,” Schneider said (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson).

YESTERDAY, 6:15pm: The Seahawks traded up with the Titans to acquire the 35th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and select South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori.

Tennessee received the 52nd and 82nd overall picks from Seattle, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Pick No. 82 was the Seahawks’ original third-round pick, while No. 52 was acquired from the Steelers in the D.K. Metcalf trade.

Emmanwori is a rare physical specimen at the safety position with a 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame. He blew away evaluators at the Combine, posting elite numbers in the broad jump, vertical jump, and 40-yard dash. Emmanwori was a three-year starter at South Carolina and played at least 500 snaps lined up at deep safety, in the slot, and in the box. However, he will still be just 21 years old when he takes his first snaps in the NFL, giving him a sky-high long-term ceiling.

Emmanwori’s combination of size, athleticism, youth, and versatility will naturally draw comparisons to Ravens All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, especially after landing in Seattle under new head coach Mike Macdonald. Macdonald was Baltimore’s defensive coordinator during Hamilton’s first two years in the NFL, the second of which featured Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections for the 2022 first-rounder.

Emmanwori does have the instincts and physicality to impact plays around the line of scrimmage in a manner similar to Hamilton, but he will need to improve his play recognition and pursuit from deeper alignments to unlock the full potential of his versatility. He has the size and athleticism to cover both receivers and tight ends in the slot, but his technique in man coverage needs refinement to avoid separation and flags. Emmanwori also has the potential to be a special teams ace but has little experience on punt or kick coverage since 2022.

The Seahawks moved on from Rayshawn Jenkins in the offseason, giving Emmanwori an opportunity to start right away in Seattle alongside Julian Love.

Seahawks Draft QB Jalen Milroe At No. 92

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Browns Draft QB Dillon Gabriel At No. 94

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Broncos Move Into Eagles’ No. 101 Spot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Texans Collect No. 97 From Vikings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Texans Flip No. 89 To Jaguars

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Patriots Deal No. 85 To Chiefs

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steelers Land RB Kaleb Johnson At No. 83

April 25th, 2025 at 9:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Shedeur Sanders (and Aaron Rodgers) waits continue. As owner Art Rooney II offered another optimistic stance on Rodgers’ eventual commitment, Pittsburgh again passed on Sanders.

The team chose Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson at No. 83 overall. This is only the Steelers’ second pick of the draft, as the team had traded its second-rounder to the Seahawks in the D.K. Metcalf deal.

While the Steelers continuing to punt on their QB need is probably more newsworthy at this point, Johnson is poised to become a key player for the team (and wear a similar uniform). The ex-Hawkeye joins a Steelers squad that has two veterans (Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell) on one-year contracts.

The No. 3-ranked running back on Dane Brugler’s The Athletic big board, Johnson nevertheless lasted until the early third round. He represents the Steelers’ biggest RB commitment since their 2021 Najee Harris first-round pick. Warren is tied to a second-round RFA tender, while Gainwell signed for less than $2MM. As Harris moved to Los Angeles on a one-year deal, the Steelers have fully retooled in the backfield. It remains unknown who will be handing these RBs the ball, however.

Johnson led the Big Ten in rushing last season, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt and scoring 21 touchdowns on the ground. That helped him earn consensus All-American honors in 2024 and cement his status as one the most highly rated backs in a strong draft class. Despite a lengthy wait, Johnson could see plenty of playing time early in his NFL career. Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to loom regarding how the Steelers will proceed under center.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

2025 NFL Draft News & Rumors