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2025 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Travis Hunter: Teams Open To Two-Way Role

April 15th, 2025 at 11:57am CST by Adam La Rose

One of the top storylines in the 2025 draft remains Travis Hunter‘s landing spot and the way in which he will be used at the NFL level. The Heisman winner has remained insistent, to no surprise, that he aims to continue playing at both receiver and cornerback as a pro.

During the pre-draft process, a key talking point for teams near the top of the first-round order has been the matter of where Hunter should play (at least, primarily) in the NFL. Opinions have been split along the way, and that remains the case to this day. In his most recent comments on the matter, Hunter doubled down on his goal of playing both ways.

In an interview with CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell, the Chuck Bednarik and Fred Biletnikoff winner (awarded respectively to the top defender and receiver in the country) said the concept of playing on offense and defense in the NFL has not been an issue for the teams he has spoken with. That will need to remain the case once Hunter is drafted, given his added comments that he would consider not suiting up if a team attempted to only use him at one position.

“It’s never playing football again,” Hunter said of his reaction in that hypothetical situation. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.”

During Colorado’s Pro Day, Hunter – who did not participate in drills at the Combine, like many other top prospects – worked exclusively as a receiver. He is nevertheless seen in some circles as a cornerback, and how teams plan to use him will remain a key factor in determining his destination. The Browns (set to select second overall) and Giants (third) loom as his likeliest landing spots.

To no surprise, Hunter is among the prospects who will be in attendance for the first round of the draft. He will not need to wait long to hear his name called, but intrigue over his workload will persist throughout the build-up to his rookie campaign.

Giants Schedule Shedeur Sanders Workout

April 14th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Ben Levine

The Giants’ third-overall pick continues to represent one of the most fascinating story lines in this year’s draft. While recent reports have suggested that the organization may skip the QB position and opt for Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, that won’t stop the organization from taking a longer look at one of the draft’s top signal callers.

[RELATED: Giants Could Aim To Land Both Colorado Stars]

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Giants plan to work out Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders privately on Thursday. The workout will take place in Boulder, Colorado.

This isn’t the first time the Giants have signaled some interest in Sanders. Coach Brian Daboll and a large contingent of other Giants decision makers attended the QB’s pro day earlier this month. While that obviously coincided with Hunter’s pro day, the event was truly an extended showcase for the signal caller. Further, as Pelissero notes, the Giants scouted Sanders “extensively” in games and practices over the past year.

There was even a report last week that the Giants could get creative and pursue both Colorado stars. However, subsequent rumblings indicated that the Giants weren’t necessarily as high on Sanders, and there was a bit of skepticism surrounding the team’s QB pursuit following the addition of Russell Wilson.

Cam Ward is all but guaranteed to go first-overall to the Titans, and despite the Browns’ (No. 2) and Giants’ (No. 3) potential need for a quarterback, there’s been talk of Sanders potentially falling down the draft board. While this year’s draft lacks top-end talent, there isn’t a long list of teams that are desperate for first-round QB prospects. That’s opened the door to a potential draft-day disappointment for Sanders.

Ryan Dunleavy of New York Post has expressed some doubt surrounding Sanders’ declining draft stock, noting that it’s “premature.” Dunleavy also says the Colorado product has “always” been in the conversation for the No. 3 pick, and while he may not necessarily be the favorite, the team hasn’t made any definitive decisions.

Of course, the Giants’ workout with Sanders later this week could simply be due diligence, as the team doesn’t have anything to lose by getting one last look at the quarterback. Dianna Russini of The Athletic seems to echo this sentiment, noting that the Giants plan to take a long look at all of the draft’s QB prospects. On the flip side, the Giants surely wouldn’t be putting in this type of effort if they weren’t at least considering Sanders with the third-overall pick.

NFL Announces 17 Prospects Attending NFL Draft

April 14th, 2025 at 6:30pm CST by Ben Levine

There will be 17 draft prospects waiting in the green room to hear their name announced next week. The NFL announced the players who will attend the first round next Thursday night in Green Bay:

When players commit to attending the first round of the draft, their respective camps have often been given some kind of assurance that they’ll be selected within the top-32 picks. Of course, that’s not a prerequisite, and as we’ve seen many times, there are some overly-confident prospects who subsequently endure the very-public waiting game.

Per usual, the most notable inclusions surround the QB position. Cam Ward is the favorite to go first-overall, and Shedeur Sanders (who is absent from this list) is also expected to be selected at some point in the first round. After that, the position is pretty uncertain, and that could lead to some awkward moments for the other QBs who decided to attend.

Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe have firmly established themselves in that next tier of QB prospects, and recent reports have indicated that they should be at least Day 2 picks. There haven’t been any definitive reports about their Day 1 candidacy, and while we shouldn’t read too much into the list of attendees, it is notable that both prospects believe they have a shot of going in the top-32 selections.

RBs Omarion Hampton, Kaleb Johnson To Visit Bears

April 14th, 2025 at 3:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bears were recently reported to be among the teams which view Ashton Jeanty in high regard. The Heisman runner-up is thus a prospect to watch in the event he slides to No. 10 in the first-round order, but Chicago is also showing interest in other running backs.

Omarion Hampton is set to visit Chicago today, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. In addition, a pre-draft visit has been lined up with Kaleb Johnson, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Hampton is considered by many to be a first-round prospect, as Schultz confirms, while Johnson is one of several Day 2 candidates at the position.

2024 marked the first season with D’Andre Swift handling lead back duties for Chicago. He notched a new career high in scrimmage yards (1,345) while logging a full campaign for the first time in his career. Two seasons remain on the 26-year-old’s contract, and his base salary for 2025 ($7.39MM) is guaranteed in full. Swift will be counted on to handle RB1 duties for at least one more year as a result, but a rookie could be joining him in the backfield soon.

Hampton has already met with the Cowboys, Steelers and Giants – teams which are spread across the first-round order. While Jeanty is expected to hear his name called early on the draft’s opening night (perhaps by the Raiders at No. 6), a longer wait could be in store for Hampton. The North Carolina product’s stock is still high, but it remains to be seen if he will wind up being a top-20 pick. The Bears would represent a more suitable landing spot in the event of a trade down the order.

Johnson starred during his three-year run at Iowa, earning several accolades along the way. The junior was the Big Ten’s top running back in 2024, and he was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award (given to the best RB in the country). He could very well be the third running back in this year’s draft as a result. The No. 45 prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board, Johnson could be an option for Chicago in the second round. The team owns the 39th and 41st selections as things stand.

Adding along both sides of the line of scrimmage has been a priority this offseason for the Bears, and defensive tackle is viewed as a key remaining need in the lead-in to the draft. Chicago will have plenty of options to choose from at that position throughout the draft, but the team’s work at the top of the running back board makes a move at that spot something to watch for.

Eagles Host S Malaki Starks; Team Interested In Walter Nolen, James Pearce?

April 14th, 2025 at 2:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles’ draft plans will depend in large part on how the first-round board shakes out before they are on the clock. A trio of names have emerged regarding Day 1 defenders the team thinks highly of, though.

Philadelphia has hosted safety Malaki Starks on a top-30 visit, Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP reports. The Georgia product has long been touted as one of the two first-round prospects at the position. Shorr-Parks adds the Eagles have “a ton of interest” in Starks, which comes as no surprise given general manager Howie Roseman‘s history of drafting Georgia defenders.

The junior operated as full-time starter during each of his three seasons with the Bulldogs. Starks earned first-team All-SEC and All-American honors in 2023, a year in which he totaled three interceptions and seven pass deflections. This past campaign included a step back in terms of statistical output, which could hurt his draft stock. Nevertheless, selecting Starks could require moving up the order given the Eagles’ No. 32 draft slot.

The Super Bowl champions traded away C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason, creating a need in the secondary. Adding Starks would give the Eagles an immediate replacement candidate on the back end, but it remains to be see if he will wind up in their range. The Dolphins – set to draft 13th overall – were recently reported to be high on him, and several teams in position to select shortly after Miami are no doubt in a similar situation.

If the Roseman and the Eagles elect to trade up, other defenders could be the target. ESPN’s Jordan Reid names defensive tackle Walter Nolen and edge rusher James Pearce as prospects to watch in that respect. Nolen is among the many D-lineman in contention to hear their names called on Day 1, although his draft range is believed to be wider than many other first-round candidates. Adding the junior (who transferred from Texas A&M to Ole Miss in 2024) would help compensate for the loss of Milton Williams in free agency.

Philadelphia likewise has a spot to fill along the edge since Josh Sweat departed on the open market. Pearce, who earned first-team All-SEC acclaim for each of the past two years, is among the top speed rushers in the 2025 class. The Tennessee product has taken a number of visits recently, although – like in Nolen’s case – none of his known meetings have included time with the Eagles. Regardless of if that changes in the near future, they will be among the prospects to monitor closely regarding Philadelphia’s Day 1 approach.

Jets To Host DT Mason Graham

April 14th, 2025 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The Jets’ pre-draft work will include a top-30 visit with one of the most highly touted defenders in the 2025 class. D-tackle Mason Graham will head to New York tomorrow, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Graham has long been regarded as the top defensive lineman available in this month’s draft, and to no surprise he has generated plenty of attention. The Michigan product has already met with the Patriots and Saints, and, more recently, the Browns and Raiders. Each of those teams are set to select in the top 10; the Jets currently own pick No. 7.

New York has done extensive work on Graham, Rapoport notes. The team formally met with the first-team All-American at the Combine, then had dinner with him the night before Michigan’s Pro Day. Coupled with this upcoming visit, that will give first-time general manager Darren Mougey and Co. plenty of information to work with when weighing their options in the first round. It remains to be seen if Graham will be available when the Jets are on the clock, given the connections made between him and teams like the Jaguars (set to pick fifth overall) and those which have previously hosted him.

Several options could be on the table for New York, a team which is known to be high on Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Offensive tackle Armand Membou is also firmly on the team’s radar, and the Jets could look to trade down if the Missouri product is unavailable. Whether or not Graham is still on the board by that point will of course influence Mougey’s decision to move down the order or which prospect he selects if New York stays put at No. 7.

The Jets’ defensive interior will again be anchored by Quinnen Williams in 2025. The former third overall pick is attached to a $24MM-per-year deal, and he will remain atop a D-line depth chart which has seen plenty of turnover this offseason. Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas and Leki Fotu each departed in free agency, while New York has added Derrick Nnadi, Byron Cowart and Jay Tufele on the open market. As the 2024 Outland Trophy winner, Graham would be expected to take on a key role right away within that group in the event he were to be selected by the Jets.

LSU WR Kyren Lacy Passes Away At 24

April 13th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Rory Parks

10:07pm: Harris’ apparent suicide took place in a vehicle as he was being pursued by authorities, according to a Harris County (Texas) Sherriff’s report (via ESPN.com). A female family member called police and indicated Lacy discharged a firearm into the ground during a verbal argument Saturday night. Lacy then fled the scene in a vehicle, according to the police report.

Authorities’ pursuit of Lacy ended after a car accident, according to the report, which indicates officers approached the vehicle to retrieve him. Lacy was then found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

10:28am: Former Louisiana and LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy passed away last night, as Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. Lacy was just 24, and according to WBRZ 2, he died by suicide.

Lacy’s size (6-3, 212) and route-running acumen made him an intriguing professional prospect. After playing the 2023 slate in the shadow of Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers, Lacy made the most of his chance to take on WR1 duties for LSU in 2024. In his final collegiate season, he hauled in 58 catches for 866 yards and nine TDs, and he was on track to hear his name called at some point during this month’s NFL draft.

His draft stock took a major hit as a result of his alleged involvement in an accident that left a 78-year-old man dead and injured several others. Although the vehicle Lacy was said to be operating did not make contact with the other vehicles involved, prosecutors say Lacy was passing several vehicles in an area where passing was not permitted. A car in the oncoming lane abruptly braked in order to avoid a collision, and the car behind them swerved left into oncoming traffic to avoid rear-ending the first vehicle. That car then collided head-on with the car that Lacy was allegedly attempting to pass. Lacy then allegedly drove around the crash and fled the scene, failing to stop and render aid, call emergency services, or report his involvement in the crash. He declared for the draft two days later (via Fox8Live.com).

Lacy turned himself in about a month after an arrest warrant was issued, and he was released on a $151K bond. Per WBRZ 2, a grand jury was scheduled to start hearing evidence in Lacy’s case Monday. He was facing charges of negligent homicide, hit-and-run, and reckless operation of a vehicle. His attorney had argued that another driver, not Lacy, caused the fatal accident.

We at PFR offer our condolences to Lacy’s friends and family, as well as the friends and family of Herman Hall, the man who was killed in the collision. We also offer our best wishes to those injured in the accident.

Buccaneers, Cowboys, Jets, Patriots, Seahawks Host EDGE Mykel Williams

April 13th, 2025 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mykel Williams‘ pre-draft itinerary is becoming quite busy. After meetings with the Cardinals, Saints and 49ers surfaced, the Georgia edge defender prospect will run his meeting count toward 10.

The Buccaneers, Cowboys, Jets, Patriots and Seahawks have also brought in the first-round talent for “30” visits, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reports. Listed as the No. 22 overall prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, Williams is among the latest in a wave of Georgia defender prospects considered a safe bet to be a first-round pick.

[RELATED: Panthers Showing Interest In Williams]

The Bulldogs sent five defenders (Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt and Lewis Cine) into the 2022 first round and saw two more (Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith) go in Round 1 in 2023. Both the Bulldogs’ 2024 first-rounders (Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims) came on offense, but this year will introduce another wave of Bulldog defenders to the NFL masses on Day 1 of the draft. Williams joins hybrid linebacker Jalon Walker and safety Malaki Starks as first-round candidates.

Williams spent each of his three years at Georgia, earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2023 and ’24. A former five-star recruit, Williams did not quite live up to expectations in Athens. He did not eclipse five sacks or 10 tackles for loss in a season, though he was a regular on three Georgia defenses — including a national championship-winning 2022 group. An ankle injury hindered Williams’ play in 2024. Still, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound rusher’s size and athleticism has him squarely on the first-round radar. Unlike Walker, Williams is a pure edge rusher who will not enter the NFL with questions about his best positional fit.

The Bucs have been mentioned as a team that could still target an edge rusher despite their Haason Reddick signing. Tampa Bay has needed consistent help from non-edge players to produce sacks in recent years. Barring an unexpected blockbuster trade, Dallas has Micah Parsons anchoring a D-end contingent that houses a returning Sam Williams, 2024 second-rounder Marshawn Kneeland and Dante Fowler, who rejoined the team after a year in Washington. DeMarcus Lawrence left for the Seahawks, who cut Dre’Mont Jones as part of their latest cap purge. The team still rosters Boye Mafe, Derick Hall and Uchenna Nwosu, who has seen back-to-back injury-shortened seasons lead to a reworked contract.

Neither the Jets nor Patriots appear in range for Williams, as the AFC East squads both hold top-10 picks. A trade-up move could conceivably be in play, though both can use these meetings to gather intel on Williams as a potential future opponent as well. The Pats reunited Mike Vrabel with Harold Landry last month but could still use another edge defender. The Jets split with Reddick to wrap a tumultuous partnership but still feature starters Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald.

Jets Doing Extensive Tyler Warren Work; Team Eyeing Armand Membou?

April 13th, 2025 at 3:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Retooling after a failed Aaron Rodgers experiment, they have new decision-makers set for their first draft. As Darren Mougey prepares for his first Jets draft, two names are coming up as players to monitor at No. 7 overall.

Although the team was listed as a potential stealth destination for Shedeur Sanders weeks ago, a Jets QB move appears likelier on Day 2. Justin Fields will be given the chance to reboot as a starter, after a season spent mostly as a backup, and help may well be coming for the team’s $20MM-per-year passer. The choice between a weapon or a blocker may come by the time the Jets go on the clock.

Mentioned as a team infatuated with Tyler Warren weeks ago, the Jets indeed have been doing extensive homework on the 2024 John Mackey Award winner, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini notes. Warren landing spots appear to begin with the Jets at 7, even though the Jaguars (No. 5) recently released Evan Engram. One team in the top 10 had canceled a workout with the Penn State product, which could mean any Colts effort to snag Warren will prove futile absent a notable trade-up.

The Jets did not see their C.J. Uzomah signing pay off, and they opted to let fellow 2022 signee Tyler Conklin walk after his contract expired. Conklin signed with the Chargers, leaving a big hole at the position in New York. Mougey praised 2023 third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert (35 career catches, no TDs) and signed ex-Charger Stone Smartt to a low-cost deal (one year, $1.35MM). The team appears unlikely to go into the season with a Ruckert-Smartt top two at the position.

Jets-Brock Bowers ties formed before the 2024 draft, but the team did not strongly consider making that pick. It instead selected Olu Fashanu during that historically offense-tilted start to a draft. Warren would give the team a chance to fill that need a year later, though Bowers admittedly set the rookie-year bar quite high. A Warren move also would leave another major need unfilled in Round 1.

Morgan Moses‘ career has now included two Jets one-and-done stays. While the team engaged in talks to re-sign the veteran right tackle, the Patriots came in with a notable offer — three years, $24MM ($11MM at signing) — to land a player going into an age-34 season. The Jets have Fashanu ready to go at LT, but they could use the draft to add on the right side. Will Campbell-Patriots connections have emerged, potentially leaving the door open for Missouri prospect Armand Membou to slide to No. 7. This appears a scenario that would tempt the Jets, as Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline notes the team will be prepared to find a trade-down option if the Mizzou blocker is off the board.

The Pats have been tied to Membou on multiple occasions during the pre-draft process, but Campbell-New England ties persist. Membou, the No. 12 prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board (which lists Campbell 10th), would represent a lofty investment to fill the Jets’ RT post. This would mean back-to-back first-round tackle investments, as the team added Fashanu at No. 11 last year.

The Jets also chose an O-lineman (Mekhi Becton, Alijah Vera-Tucker) twice previously under GM Joe Douglas, but a need remains. While the team has been connected to being an earlier-than-expected landing spot for Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., Membou appears more likely to be the draft’s second tackle chosen (assuming Campbell’s arm length does not keep him from being the first).

Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan To Visit Patriots, Saints, Cowboys

April 13th, 2025 at 11:52am CST by Rory Parks

First-round wide receiver prospect Tetairoa McMillan has secured visits with the Patriots, Saints, and Cowboys, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Wilson also confirms the previously-reported McMillan-Panthers summit.

McMillan’s size (6-4, 219), catch radius, and ability to make contested catches are among his chief selling points, while his lack of deep speed and inability to create consistent separation – which is why he needed to make so many contested grabs – have caused some concern. The highest recruit in the history of the Arizona football program, McMillan averaged 87 catches for 1,360.5 yards and nine TDs for the Wildcats over the past two seasons. He finished his college career with a 16.1 yards-per-catch average, thus illustrating his ability to make big plays downfield despite the fact that he is not a blazing runner.

After a long search that saw the team make aggressive pursuits for Brandon Aiyuk and Chris Godwin over the last year, New England finally landed a quality, veteran wideout when it signed Stefon Diggs last month. Nonetheless, Diggs is coming off a platform campaign cut short by an ACL tear, and between the injury and the fact that he is entering his age-32 season, there is reason to believe he will not return to his peak level of performance.

As such, it would not be surprising to see the Pats add more top-tier talent at the skill positions to aid in second-year quarterback Drake Maye’s development. On the other hand, new head coach Mike Vrabel has said addressing the club’s offensive and defensive lines would be a top offseason priority, and blockers like LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou have been consistently linked to New England as possible solutions for the team’s glaring left tackle need. 

Either of those OTs are realistic targets for the Pats and their No. 4 pick, though McMillan is unlikely to be selected that high. But, if the Pats find a trade-down opportunity to their liking, McMillan could become an option.

The Saints bolstered their WR corps by reuniting with Brandin Cooks this offseason, and they also return Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. However, all three players missed significant time due to injury in 2024, so another receiver addition would not come as a shock. Still, New Orleans has more pressing needs, including a long-term quarterback. While the club could still target a passer with its second-round pick – by which time McMillan is likely to be long gone – a QB like Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart are legitimate possibilities for the Saints’ No. 9 overall pick.

Dallas, Cooks’ most recent employer, has confirmed that it is in the market for a WR to complement CeeDee Lamb, and McMillan could be a fit for the club’s No. 12 selection. The team recently met with several other high-end WR prospects, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka and Texas’ Matthew Golden, though the Cowboys could see running back as a bigger need.

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