2025 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Browns Trade Up To No. 144 For QB Shedeur Sanders

April 26th, 2025 at 11:16pm CST by Ely Allen

The slide finally stops here. The Browns have traded up with the Eagles to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 144 overall. In exchange for the pick that lands the Buffaloes passer, Philadelphia collects pick Nos. 166 and 192.

The Browns had acquired pick No. 166, a fifth-rounder, from the Texans, who in turn had received it from Buffalo in the Stefon Diggs trade. The 192nd pick was sent to Cleveland by the Bears in exchange for defensive tackle Chris Williams, and they had received it originally from Miami in exchange for Chase Claypool.

Sanders has weathered one of the least-anticipated Draft Day slides in NFL history. At one point projected to be in competition with Cam Ward for the No. 1 overall pick, Sanders slowly saw his draft stock begin to fall throughout the pre-draft process. As scouts and analysts really dove into the 23-year-old’s tape, it became apparent that he wasn’t the top quarterback in the class and that he perhaps was not second-best. As it turns out, he is the sixth passer to come off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft, 144 picks into the event and six picks into the fifth-round. Some have attributed a perceived lack of maturity and the resulting attitude as a factor that drove down Sanders’ stock, in addition to a questionable skillset.

As to why the Browns chose to select him after this historic slide, Zac Jackson of The Athletic provided a quote from general manager Andrew Berry. Berry told the media that he couldn’t “speak to why the market priced him the way it did,” saying, “We had our own internal evaluation…once it got to a price we felt was a pretty steep discount, it just made sense.”

Now that he’s headed to Cleveland, Sanders’ slide is strictly a thing of the past. Nobody will care where he got drafted if he can make a serious impact for the Browns. His competition begins with fellow rookie, and third-round selection out of Oregon, Dillon Gabriel. You don’t have to look back too far to find the last team to draft two quarterbacks in the same draft, as the Patriots did so last year with Drake Maye and Joe Milton. The Browns are the first team in the common draft era, though, to take two quarterbacks (Gabriel and Sanders) and two running backs (Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins and Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson) in the first five rounds of a single draft.

The Browns now have five quarterbacks on their roster competing for, maybe, three spots. Expected starter Deshaun Watson suffered a second tear of his Achilles tendon in January and could be unavailable for the entire 2025 NFL season. Cleveland acquired two former starters and recent backups this offseason, signing veteran Joe Flacco and trading for 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett, and now Gabriel and Sanders join the fold. Flacco obviously has experience with the current staff after his 2023 campaign with the team, after which he won Comeback Player of the Year. Pickett has shown value as he’s been traded around since being drafted by the Steelers three years ago, but after failing to establish himself as a starter, he seems destined to work as an experienced backup.

There are a couple of ways the roster could play out in Cleveland. If Watson is healthy enough to play, we’ll likely see Flacco and Pickett as the prime competitors for the starting job, with the loser of the battle likely taking on QB2 duties. If Pickett wins the starting gig, Flacco would surely outrank both Gabriel and Sanders as the primary backup. If Flacco wins, though, I could see Gabriel and Sanders being given an opportunity to supplant Pickett for the primary role. Should one of the rookies do so, expect Pickett to be up for his third trade within the course of his rookie contract.

If Pickett can secure the QB2 role (behind Flacco), though, the battle between Gabriel and Sanders becomes critical for roster spots, and given his draft position, it appears the staff already has a slight preference towards Gabriel. With Watson presumably on an injured list, the Browns could opt to keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, allowing them to retain the loser of the QB3-battle on the practice squad. If they decide to only keep two quarterbacks on the roster, though, provided Pickett does not get traded, Gabriel and Sanders could see themselves struggling to make the team as a rookie.

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

Cowboys Draft CB Shavon Revel Jr.; Trevon Diggs Uncertain For Week 1

April 26th, 2025 at 7:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 26: Owner Jerry Jones confirmed on Saturday (via ESPN’s Todd Archer) Diggs is a candidate to begin the regular season on the PUP list. It will be interesting to see how his rehab progresses as Revel looks to earn playing time right away during his rookie season.

APRIL 25: The Cowboys have made another defensive addition on Day 2 of the draft. East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. has been selected at No. 76 by Dallas.

The move comes amongst uncertainty in the case of Trevon Diggs‘ availability to start the season. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported during a TV appearance Diggs is uncertain to be fully healthy in time for Week 1.

Revel entered the season firmly on the first-round radar. His production (albeit at a lower level of competition), coupled with his size and athleticism led to high expectations for 2024. The 6-2, 202-pounder suffered an ACL tear in Week 3, however, which cost him most of his final college campaign.

To little surprise, the injury also led to a fall in Revel’s draft stock. After not hearing his name called on Thursday, the entire second round took place without a selection coming to bear either. Now, though, Revel can turn his attention to competing for playing time in Dallas.

The Cowboys have Diggs along with DaRon Bland atop the depth chart at the cornerback spot. Diggs has been limited to just 13 games across the past two years, and he underwent surgery in January. That procedure led to a positive outlook with respect to his ability to recover in full but also the expectation of missed time during training camp. This latest update points further to the possibility of Diggs missing game action in September.

Dallas ranked 31st in the NFL in scoring defense last season. The team finished mid-pack against the pass, but adding in the secondary represents a logical goal regarding the draft. If Revel checks out medically this summer, he could see defensive playing time right away.

Patriots Select CB Kobee Minor At No. 257

April 26th, 2025 at 6:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

Entering the seventh round, the 257th and final selection of the 2025 draft belonged to the Chiefs. Kansas City traded up in the round, however, in a deal which left New England in position to wrap up the event.

The Patriots have selected cornerback Kobee Minor at No. 257. As a result, the Memphis product has the distinction of being this year’s ‘Mr. Irrelevant.’

Like many other prospects in this year’s class, Minor spent time at multiple schools during his time in college. He started out at Texas Tech, making a total of 23 appearances with the Red Raiders. After three seasons in the Big 12, Minor transferred to Indiana and played there for one year. In 2024, he was on the move once more, playing at Memphis.

Minor set new career highs across the board during his lone season with the Tigers. He posted 38 tackles (including seven for a loss), along with a pair of sacks, six pass deflections and two forced fumbles. Given his size – 5-11, 188 pounds – however, it very much remained to be seen entering the draft if his name would be called. Now, Minor will turn his attention to competing for a roster spot in New England.

The Patriots focused on a number of areas during the draft, but this pick is the only one including the cornerback position. The team’s depth chart will be topped by returnee Christian Gonzalez along with free agent acquisition Carlton Davis in 2025. New England also has the likes of Marcus Jones and Alex Austin in the fold. Minor will look to carve out a role amongst that group (presumably on special teams, of course) during training camp. If he is unable to do so, he will be a practice squad candidate to begin the campaign.

Dolphins Draft QB Quinn Ewers At No. 231

April 26th, 2025 at 5:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The seventh round continues to include quarterbacks coming off the board. Texas product Quinn Ewers has been selected by the Dolphins at No. 231 overall.

Ewers was among the passers facing the high expectations entering the 2024 campaign. The Longhorns succeeded as a team, reaching the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Individually, though, Ewers struggled to remain healthy and did not produce as hoped. That hindered his draft stock but the fact he remained on the board this late into Saturday still comes as something of a surprise.

Ewers shows a lot of traits that have become popular in NFL quarterbacks of late, boasting a quick release and the ability to throw out of multiple arm slots. He has excellent ball placement on short and intermediate throws and uses his eyes well to throw defenders. He also displayed an interesting intangible by delivering some of his most impressive performances in raucous road environments.

A lack of mobility likely hurt Ewers’ draft stock. He’s not much of a threat to run and, when rushed out of his spot, can struggle to see the field when scrambling. Ewers also struggled to protect the ball at times, throwing 12 interceptions and fumbling the ball 10 times in 2024; in three years as a starter for the Longhorns, he threw 24 picks and had 20 fumbles.

The Dolphins were certainly in need of a QB3. They currently roster only starter Tua Tagovailoa and backup Zach Wilson. Ewers isn’t likely to challenge Wilson for the QB2 role, but with Tagovailoa’s frequent injury history, it makes sense to add a potential impact passer behind Wilson. Wilson has also struggled in a starting role in the past, so Ewers is actually in a decent position to see time as a starter relatively soon in his career.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

49ers Take QB Kurtis Rourke In Seventh Round

April 26th, 2025 at 5:07pm CST by Ely Allen

We know the 49ers’ luck with seventh-round passers. They add another one today, drafting Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke at No. 227 overall. Rourke is the younger brother of fellow Canadian passer Nathan Rourke, who is currently playing in the Canadian Football League after failing to make a 53-man roster in the NFL in 2024.

Rourke started one year for the Hoosiers after five seasons at Ohio. Even with the upgrade in competition, Rourke delivered his best statistical season to date recording career highs in completion percentage (69.4) and passing touchdowns (29) while throwing for 3,042 yards and only five interceptions. Rourke did display some mobility with the Bobcats, as well, churning out 832 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground before transferring to Indiana.

Rourke has an ideal, big-bodied frame and a natural throwing motion. He throws with pace and has a deep ball with excellent timing and touch. He’s been tenacious in his career, as well, starting all but one game for the Hoosiers in 2024 despite multiple injuries limiting him in prior seasons.

In San Francisco, Rourke will compete with last year’s undrafted rookie Tanner Mordecai for a QB3 role behind Brock Purdy — famously also a seventh-round pick — and Mac Jones. Despite his lack of acclaim coming into the draft, it’s worth keeping an eye on Rourke as the 49ers have a tendency for striking gold with their backup passers.

Raiders Add Two FCS Arms To QBs Room

April 26th, 2025 at 4:34pm CST by Ely Allen

The Raiders have seemingly moved on from Aidan O’Connell as a starter, reuniting Geno Smith with his former head coach, Pete Carroll. A pair of possibilities have been added to the mix, though, as Las Vegas has used pick Nos. 213 and 215 to draft Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott and North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller, respectively.

Mellott was selected first, but Miller stands to have more impact potential as a quarterback. Over five years in Fargo, Miller started 56 of 67 contests, earning the starting role partway through his sophomore year. Playing the final eight games of the 2021 season, Miller helped the Bison win the FCS championship game, taking them back to a national title in 2023, as well. His senior saw him complete 73.5 percent of his passes for 33 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He’s also a threat as a rusher, totaling 1,821 yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground in his three full years as a starter.

Mellott’s career for the Bobcats was similar. After redshirting in 2020, he took over the starting job as a redshirt freshman just prior to the start of the playoffs. He became a full-time starter the following season, but like Miller, Mellott’s best numbers as a passer didn’t come till his final year, when he won the Walter Payton Award — the FCS equivalent to a Heisman Trophy. In 2024, Mellott threw for 31 touchdowns (his previous season high was 10) with only two interceptions. For his career, he threw 55 touchdowns to only eight interceptions in 49 games. Mellott was arguably most productive as a rusher in his career, surpassing 1,000 yards rushing in both seasons that saw him start the full year. For his career, he totaled 3,517 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns on the ground.

The Raiders are obviously taking some flyers here on two talented FCS arms (and legs). The team currently rosters Smith as QB1, O’Connell as QB2, and Carter Bradley, an undrafted rookie from last year, as QB3. Both athletic passers will compete with Bradley and each other as they jockey for a roster spot. Mellott may even have an additional route to a roster spot as some scouts and analysts projected him for a transition to wide receiver at the next level.

Texans Draft QB Graham Mertz At No. 197

April 26th, 2025 at 3:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans have made another move up the draft board. Sending picks 216 and 241 to the Broncos, Houston has acquired No. 197 and used it on Florida quarterback Graham Mertz.

Mertz’s college career began at Wisconsin in 2019. He did not start either of his two appearances that season, but for three years after that he operated as the Badgers’ QB1. That tenure was followed by a pair of seasons with the Gators, including a 2023 slate featuring a 20:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Last season, Mertz suffered an ACL injury. As a result, he was limited to only five games (during which time he remained highly efficient with a 76.6% completion percentage). The 24-year-old’s 8.4 yards per attempt average was the highest of his career, but the injury left him sidelined to close out the campaign. It also no doubt hindered his draft stock and helped influence his long wait to be selected on Day 3 of the draft.

Houston will once again be led by C.J. Stroud on offense next season. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year will play a crucial role in determining if the team is able to progress past the divisional round of the postseason. The Texans also have Davis Mills and 2024 UDFA Kedon Slovis on their quarterback depth chart.

Mertz will compete with those two for the backup or third-string gig during training camp. Depending on how that plays out, he could find himself on the back end of the roster or as a practice squad candidate.

Colts Draft QB Riley Leonard At No. 189

April 26th, 2025 at 3:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

The early-sixth-round run on quarterbacks continues. The Colts are set to select Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard at No. 189 overall. Leonard will follow his national championship game opponent (Will Howard) and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord off the board early in the round.

Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen had identified Leonard as a target early during the pre-draft process, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, coming into draft weekend high on the former Fighting Irish starter’s athleticism and processing ability. Leonard certainly showed dual-threat capabilities during Notre Dame’s run to the CFP title game, and he will join two mobile QBs — Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones — in Indianapolis.

Before heading to Notre Dame, Leonard spent three seasons at Duke, earning the starting job as a sophomore. With lesser surrounding talent on the Blue Devils, Leonard still won nine games, throwing 20 touchdowns to only six interceptions, while rushing for 13 more scores. His 2023 season, which preceded his move to the state of Indiana, was cut short by ankle and foot injuries, but he played in all 16 games for the Fighting Irish in 2024.

Leonard nearly reached 1,000 rushing yards last season, totaling 906 to go with 17 touchdowns on the ground. Suddenly, Jones is the third-best rushing threat in his new position group. Leonard posted a 66.7% completion rate, throwing 21 touchdown passes compared to eight interceptions during the team’s charge toward the Ohio State matchup. While Notre Dame was unable to overcome the favored Big Ten program, Leonard leading the team to that stage capped off a breakout season.

Not mentioned as a potential Shedeur Sanders team, the Colts using a sixth-round pick on a QB certainly points to the Richardson-Jones competition deciding the team’s Week 1 starter. Leonard will step into place as a developmental option for a Colts team that no longer rosters Sam Ehlinger. The former sixth-round Colts draftee is now with the Broncos. Jason Bean, a 2024 UDFA, entered draft weekend as the Colts’ third-string option.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Steelers Select QB Will Howard At 185

April 26th, 2025 at 3:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers are the next team to make a Day 3 addition under center. Ohio State’s Will Howard has been selected 185th overall.

Pittsburgh was among the teams named as a suitor for a first-round QB pick, but the team did not take that route. As Day 2 progressed, it became known an Aaron Rodgers signing remains firmly on the Steelers’ radar. Owner Art Rooney II said on Friday the 41-year-old “wants” to play in Pittsburgh next season.

Rooney also made it clear any rookie brought into the fold would not be expected to see playing time right away. In Howard’s case, that means he will likely find himself competing for the backup spot this offseason on a depth chart which also features Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson.

During a four-year run at Kansas State, Howard made 28 starts. He transferred to Ohio State last year, taking the place of Kyle McCord (who was just drafted by the Eagles). Howard enjoyed by far his most productive campaign, racking up over 4,000 yards, a 35:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio and completing 73% of his passes. A third-team All-Big Ten performer, Howard was named the Offensive MVP of the national title game while helping lead the Buckeyes to the championship.

As things stand, Rudolph is still on track to operate as the Steelers’ starter for at least one season. He totaled 13 starts across his first Pittsburgh stint, but the expectation has remained during the offseason another move would be made in the wake of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields departing in free agency. It will be interesting to see if that turns out to be a one-year Rodgers arrangement after the draft is completed. In any case, Howard will look to secure at least the QB2 gig at the NFL level beginning in 2025.

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