2025 April - Pro Football Rumors

Month: April 2025

Christian McCaffrey Attending Offseason Workouts, Has No Physical Limitations

April 24th, 2025 at 1:20pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was in attendance at the start of the team’s voluntary offseason workout program without any physical limitations, according to NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco.

That’s an encouraging sign for the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year after he was limited to just four games in 2024.

A nebulous lower-leg injury – later revealed to be Achilles tendinitis – sidelined McCaffrey at the beginning of the regular season and eventually landed him on injured reserve. He made his season debut in Week 10, but returned to IR with a PCL injury less than a month later.

McCaffrey’s injury woes raised questions about his high usage in the 49ers offense. After missing the first nine games of the season, he played 155 of the team’s 176 offensive snaps (88.1%) in his first three games before going down after just 12 snaps in his fourth. McCaffrey will be 29 once the 2025 season begins with more than 2,000 touches in his career, so such a high snap share may not be tenable moving forward.

As a result, head coach Kyle Shanahan may make a more concerted effort to distribute touches in 2025, though the team traded Jordan Mason and Deebo Samuel this offseason. That will give athletic 2024 draft picks Isaac Guerendo and Ricky Pearsall an opportunity to take some of the playmaking burden off McCaffrey’s shoulders. The 49ers could also add to their offense from a 2025 draft class that is especially strong at running back.

NFC Draft Rumors: Cardinals, Bears, Loveland, Commanders, Coleman, Panthers

April 24th, 2025 at 12:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Pass rushers and guards have come up as early-round Cardinals targets, but the team also appears to be strongly considering using a first-round pick on a wide receiver for a second straight year. Arizona is believed to want to add an impact weapon to its receiving corps, per ESPN.com’s Matt Miller. Arizona did not come off No. 4 overall, despite trade interest, last year, leading to Marvin Harrison Jr. heading to the desert. The Cardinals have Michael Wilson as a capable auxiliary option, but Miller points to offensive “firepower” being the team’s top priority heading into the draft. This is not viewed as a strong wide receiver class; options will still be available to Arizona at No. 16. The Cowboys have been closely tied to Tetairoa McMillan at 12, but Matthew Golden (he of a 4.29-second 40 clocking), Luther Burden and ex-Harrison college teammate Emeka Egbuka could well be available.

Here is the latest from some NFC draft blueprints:

The Bears‘ interest in Ashton Jeanty is either a elaborate smokescreen or quite legitimate, but if the 2024 Heisman runner-up is not available, Chicago has also been tied to rounding out its skill-position corps with a tight end pick. As the Colts would seemingly monitor this draft slot closely (due to their reported interest in the position), Miller adds the Bears are believed to have Colston Loveland slotted higher than Tyler Warren on their big board. This does not appear a universal view, as SI.com’s Albert Breer sends Warren to Chicago in his final mock draft. The Chargers, at 22, are Loveland’s rumored floor. The Colts, at 14, are expected to have a major say in where the two Big Ten-developed TE prospects go.
Favored to become a Patriot, Will Campbell is unlikely to be available for Chicago at No. 10. But the Chicago Sun-Times’ Jason Lieser notes the team informed the LSU product he would play left tackle were he to wind up in the Windy City. This may not be relevant to the Bears’ No. 10 overall slot, but it seems pertinent to Braxton Jones‘ future. The three-year Bears LT starter is recovering from an ankle injury, one likely to prevent him from starting training camp on time, and entering a contract year.
Holding a pick two spots earlier, the Panthers are interested in trading down. In fact, Breer adds Carolina is “doing everything they can” to move down. The Panthers were mentioned as a team considering taking a less-than-ideal offer to move down from No. 8, as the team can still be classified as rebuilding — especially after circling back to Bryce Young following the September benching. While linked closely to Jalon Walker, Carolina sounds open for business — in a draft not featuring many teams angling to move into the top 10.
The Commanders added Laremy Tunsil and kept Andrew Wylie (via a pay-cut agreement), but they are still interested in bolstering their O-line in Round 1. The team is interested in adding a starter here, ESPN.com’s John Keim notes, indicating the team has shown interest in Alabama guard Tyler Booker and Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. The team’s Tunsil addition will allow for a Brandon Coleman (12 rookie-year left tackle starts) move to right tackle, Keim adds, but the draft will determine the team’s strategy here. Washington has Wylie signed for one more season and has eight-figure-per-year interior linemen Sam Cosmi and Tyler Biadasz. Left guard and right tackle appear areas the team will explore upgrading, however.
If the Commanders do not like the blockers available at No. 29, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter connects them to UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Also a potential Bills target, Schwesinger profiles as a potential late first-rounder. The team re-signed Bobby Wagner and saw Frankie Luvu make significant contributions after signing in 2024. Wagner, however, will be 35 soon and is attached to another one-year contract.

Michigan CB Will Johnson’s Knee Issue Hurting Draft Stock

April 24th, 2025 at 12:09pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has been dealing with medical issues for the past several months, starting with a bout of turf toe that sidelined him for the second half of the 2024 college football season.

A hamstring strain then sidelined him at the Combine and, and he did not run a 40-yard dash at Michigan’s pro day. That has raised questions about Johnson’s long speed and longevity in the NFL.

Those concerns have been further substantiated by “a knee issue that’s been flagged,” per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. It’s not expected to hamper the former Wolverine’s rookie season, but could affect him over the course of his pro career.

Multiple teams have injury concerns regarding Johnson, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, leading to doubt about his eventual draft spot. His college tape largely shows an NFL-ready cornerback with All-Pro upside, making it possible he goes in the first 10 picks. However, the best ability is availability, and teams may not want to roll the dice on a player with medical questions so early in the draft.

Some teams are hoping that Johnson falls into the back half of the first round, where he could be a steal if he stays healthy. At least one executive doubts he will slip that far, per Fowler, arguing that he is too good of a prospect to ignore.

Indeed, Johnson has prototypical height, length, and coverage skills – both physical and mental – to be an early starter on the boundary with long-term potential as a lockdown corner. A healthier pre-draft process and even a respectable 40 time could have solidified his stock in the top 10; instead, he’ll have to hope that his body of work speaks for itself and still makes him a high first-round pick.

Teams Aren’t Concerned About Ohio State OT Josh Simmons’ Knee

April 24th, 2025 at 11:14am CST by Nikhil Mehta

Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons is widely considered to be a first-round talent, but a torn patellar tendon suffered last October has raised questions about his availability for the 2025 NFL season.

Most teams are already convinced of his talent and have been more focused on his knee during the pre-draft process. Multiple reports in March indicated that Simmons is “ahead of schedule” in his rehab; he even did a brief workout at Ohio State’s pro day.

Recent reports project growing confidence about Simmons’ knee, which has moved him up last-minute mock drafts.

“Teams don’t sound concerned about his long-term availability, as they anticipate he’ll be ready around the start of the regular season,” wrote The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, who mocked Simmons to the Bears with the 10th overall pick. Howe also mentioned some concerns about the 22-year-old’s maturity and passion for the game, but emphasized that he has the long-term upside to be a first-round pick.

Simmons was also projected to the Dolphins at No. 13 by CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones after medical rechecks cleared his knee.

However, the initial severity of Simmons’ injury has caused some doubt that he will be ready to play by the start of the regular season, according to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, who believes that November may be a more realistic timeframe for his return to the field.

Simmons’ draft slot will reveal how teams really feel about his knee. A top-15 pick would indicate confidence that he can contribute in 2025, while slipping to the end of the first round (or out of Day 1 entirely) will hint at a potential redshirt rookie year.

Browns Shopping CB Greg Newsome, DE Ogbo Okoronkwo?

April 24th, 2025 at 11:02am CST by Sam Robinson

Greg Newsome is going into a fifth-year option season. While the Browns fully guaranteed the 2021 first-round pick’s 2025 salary ($13.38MM), they had not begun extension talks this offseason. That could be telling.

Hours before the first round, the Browns are believed to be shopping Newsome and edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Newsome saw his snap rate decline last season, after near-full-time usage from 2021-23, as Martin Emerson‘s role contributed to that. Okoronkwo is also going into a contract year.

Emerson has operated as Denzel Ward‘s perimeter complementary performer during his career, relegating Newsome to a slot role in sub-packages. Last season, that meant only three starts for Newsome, who described some frustration with his role during the winter. Ahead of his age-25 season, the Browns will see what they can land for the former No. 26 overall pick. Likely Browns draftee Travis Hunter would be expected to dabble at corner, giving the team a unique luxury, but GM Andrew Berry has consistently said the organization prefers him at WR.

These trade talks are not exactly out of the blue, as Newsome came up in trade conversations before last year’s deadline. As the Browns tumbled to a 1-6 start, they did unload Za’Darius Smith and Amari Cooper. But they stood pat in the secondary, keeping Ward, Newsome and Emerson. With Emerson becoming extension-eligible, Cleveland may be fine landing a cheaper corner to complement Ward and Emerson. On that note, the Browns may not be able to land a strong return due to Newsome’s fully guaranteed salary.

Cutting costs makes sense for a Browns team that still has Deshaun Watson‘s megadeal on its books, even though the quarterback has likely thrown his last pass with the team. An insurance measure could allow the team to save some money if/when Watson is released in 2026, but that is not certain. Trims elsewhere make sense in the meantime. Cleveland already carries 10 picks entering the draft, but it looks to be eyeing more.

Okoronkwo, 30 today, has worked mostly as a rotational rusher in Cleveland. Combining for 7.5 sacks in two seasons, the ex-Rams rusher has made five starts (all last season). Attached to a three-year deal worth $19MM, Okoronkwo teamed with Smith as Myles Garrett wingmen; he made his five starts after Smith’s move to Detroit. Trading Okoronkwo now would not bring any cap relief; the move would cost just more than $6MM in dead money. The Browns, however, appear to deem that worth a minor return.

Broncos Taking Calls On Moving Down From No. 20

April 24th, 2025 at 10:23am CST by Sam Robinson

Sean Payton has never traded down in the first round during his time as a head coach, but the Broncos have an interesting opportunity to do so tonight. As quarterback-needy teams circle — regarding a class not deemed to have a second passer worthy of a top-10 pick — Denver’s No. 20 overall draft slot represents a pivotal point.

The Steelers hold the No. 21 overall pick, and their lack of clarity on Aaron Rodgers certainly creates a perception a QB selection would be on tap. Pittsburgh is believed to want to make its long-term QB pick either this year or next, but with Rodgers not giving the team an indication of his plans — despite an offer being on the table for six weeks — the AFC North club is in a bind as the draft nears.

Although reports earlier this week pegged the Broncos as interested in trading up, ESPN’s Adam Schefter now notes the team is taking calls about moving down from 20. The Broncos could be the spot where the first non-Cam Ward QB strike — in what appears a fascinating trade derby — could be made.

The idea of Denver accumulating more draft capital is interesting, as the team has been light on high-value picks in recent years. It took two first-round picks and two seconds (along with four other assets) for the Broncos to pry Russell Wilson from the Seahawks. A year later, the team sent first- and third-round picks to the Saints for a second and Payton’s rights. While the Von Miller and Bradley Chubb trades armed the Broncos in that span, both assets acquired in those swaps went to securing Wilson and Payton. The team has not made first- and second-round picks in the same draft since 2021.

A Wednesday report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicated the Broncos were high on this year’s running back class — just maybe not to the point a first-round pick was necessary. Denver has been regularly tied to North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton in mock drafts, but the team also could address its need for more Courtland Sutton supporting-casters — especially with the No. 1 receiver set to turn 30 this year. Denver moving down from 20 would run the risk of missing out on Hampton or a quality wide receiver prospect, but other RBs and wideouts would await in a draft higher on depth than blue-chip talent.

The Browns, Giants and Saints could have interest in leapfrogging the Steelers for a passer; Payton obviously has a good line into the Saints, having worked with Mickey Loomis for 16 years. The Rams and Dolphins have also been connected to QBs, though Miami is more likely to add one in the middle rounds. Options could be there for the Broncos, who may have a chance to add more Day 2 draft capital by sliding down the board tonight.

Saints Making Calls On Path To QB Pick; Derek Carr Clarity Proving Elusive

April 24th, 2025 at 9:47am CST by Sam Robinson

Where the wave of second-tier quarterback prospects sends those players will be one of this draft’s top storylines, and teams are doing work on forging reasonable paths to securing QB real estate. This has involved the Browns and Giants discussing trades that involve using their early-second-round picks to climb back into Round 1. The Saints are at work on a similar route as well.

Mentioned a few times as less likely to use the No. 9 overall pick on a quarterback — in a much-maligned draft at the position (outside of Cam Ward) — New Orleans has begun to discuss trades with teams that would involve a move down from that point, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. Additional pick(s) gained from a move down would, Schultz adds, likely be used in a trade package to come back into the first round for a passer.

This draft’s lack of blue-chip talent, or a second QB deemed worthy of a top-10 pick, has made trading down from the top 10 rather difficult. Offers are not believed to be carrying full value, which would complicate a Saints odyssey down from 9. It depends on how serious New Orleans is about a plan to find a Derek Carr successor without using its first-round pick. The Saints hold No. 40 overall as well; that pick has been viewed as the franchise’s more likely centerpiece of a trade to acquire a long-term option.

The 2025 QB class is not viewed as the greatest talent array to land such a player, the Saints are nevertheless in this position due to Carr’s murky status. The team had hoped to have pre-draft clarity on Carr, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, but no such answers — regarding a surgery that would impact the QB’s availability for 2025 — have emerged.

Seeing as we are nearing May, it is a bit odd this much mystery still clouds Carr’s future. The situation may offer reminders of Michael Thomas‘ unusual 2021, when he delayed a surgery the team viewed as necessary — only to suffer a setback and then miss all of that season. Carr is not certain to undergo surgery, but this issue has surprised some members of the Saints’ staff. His status has naturally hovered over the team entering the draft. Mickey Loomis refused to answer Carr-related questions at his pre-draft presser, but the 12th-year veteran’s availability certainly impacts how the Saints will proceed in the draft. Loomis has avoided trading down in Round 1, but he — as could be expected — did not dismiss the possibility this year.

Carr’s injury is believed to stem from a 2023 AC joint issue that did not heal properly. Carr sustained multiple concussions that year, and he ran into oblique and hand trouble in 2024. The Saints were not believed to have been caught off-guard by Carr’s shoulder trouble, having restructured the vet’s contract — making a 2026 separation more costly. But the team having anticipated more clarity by now is noteworthy, especially as the Saints join other clubs in preparing similar trade-up routes for QBs.

Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe have checked in as potential options for this glut of QB-needy teams; all could be gone by Round 2. The Saints have done extensive work on each, as Kellen Moore prepares to take over. Our Ely Allen pegged Dart to go to New Orleans in his mock draft. The Giants are believed to be high on Dart, and the Saints will take a risk if they pass on a QB at 9. Should that happen, the race between this lot of teams eyeing longer-term solutions will be on.

Jets, Saints In Mix For Jalon Walker; Panthers Remain High On LB

April 24th, 2025 at 9:04am CST by Sam Robinson

Recovering from a quad injury during the pre-draft process, Jalon Walker‘s stock has been climbing since his recent belated pro day. The Georgia linebacker seems a safe bet to become a top-10 pick.

Mentioned as a potential Patriots wild-card pick at No. 4 overall, Walker has not received as much buzz about a Foxborough destination compared to LSU tackle Will Campbell. If the Pats do end up filling their LT need at 4, it should not be expected Walker falls far. A few other top-10 teams are closely monitoring Georgia’s top 2025 prospect.

While Ashton Jeanty seems a safe bet not to fall past No. 6, as a run of Jaguars and Raiders rumors have circulated, Las Vegas has also been connected to bolstering its O-line at No. 6. A hybrid player who has operated as an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker, Walker could conceivably be on the Raiders’ radar too. After all, this week represents is the smokescreen Super Bowl, but he is primarily being tied to the teams holding picks from Nos. 7-9.

The Panthers, who did not make a strong effort to replace Brian Burns last year, have probably been the team most closely linked to Walker. Although Carolina did not send a large contingent to Walker’s Athens pro day earlier this month, The Athletic’s Joe Person indicates NFL personnel believe Dan Morgan and Dave Canales remain high on the intriguing front-seven piece. It is possible, however, Walker fails to reach No. 8. The Jets have been tied to O-linemen or potentially Tyler Warren at No. 7, but ESPN.com’s Matt Miller projects them to draft Walker. While the team certainly needs more help on offense compared to defense, Miller points to the team eyeing an impact defender and culture fit — ahead of Aaron Glenn‘s first season in charge — in Round 1.

Considering the growing buzz on Walker, the Saints might need to look elsewhere at No. 9. But they are believed to be in on Walker as well, per NFL.com’s Jane Slater. New Orleans, however, has also done plenty of work on Michigan DT Mason Graham and Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan, Slater adds. Warren has also come up here, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

Graham no longer looks likely to go to the Jaguars at 5, and while Michigan alums are now running the Raiders (which is something to monitor re: a D-tackle pick at 6), the player who has long been viewed as this draft’s top interior presence could fall toward the lower end of the top 10.

The Saints picked up Chris Olave‘s fifth-year option Wednesday, and they have Rashid Shaheed coming back from injury to join the returning Brandin Cooks. New Orleans has been on the radar for a first-round receiver in recent years, however.

The team also doled out a $10.25MM-per-year deal to retain Juwan Johnson, while Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill remain rostered at tight end. Hill, of course, roves around the formation and is now going into an age-35 season (and coming off an injury). Warren coming off a 1,200-yard season also has enticed teams; the Penn State tight end should not need to wait too long tonight.

OL-Based Trade-Up On Texans’ Radar

April 24th, 2025 at 8:30am CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans enter draft weekend having already reshaped their offensive line. Laremy Tunsil relocated to Washington on Day 1 of free agency, fetching Houston four draft choices — including a 2025 third-rounder — while 2022 first-rounder Kenyon Green is now in Philadelphia.

Laken Tomlinson reunited with DeMeco Ryans, while Cam Robinson joined the team on a higher-end one-year deal. Houston also traded for ex-Minnesota second-round guard Ed Ingram, and GM Nick Caserio will reunite with ex-Patriot tackle Trent Brown in what amounts to a flier at this stage of his career. Although the Texans chose Blake Fisher in the 2024 second round, they are believed to be ready to make another splash move.

Caserio and Co. have made calls about moving up in the first round, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and SI.com’s Albert Breer. The calls are believed to be based around adding a first-round O-linemen, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Moving up from No. 25 does not stand to have the same impact as when Caserio climbed from No. 12 to No. 3 for Will Anderson Jr., but the fifth-year GM has displayed a willingness to move up early.

This draft has featured a host of teams potentially willing to move back into Round 1 for a quarterback, but non-QB-needy teams have not been closely tied to trading up. Teams holding top-10 picks have been more willing to trade down in this draft, but Schultz adds that lot is having a tougher time finding takers.

Ryans’ former boss, John Lynch, confirmed (via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows) most teams are eyeing trade-down moves to capitalize on this draft’s depth — as blue-chip talent is deemed rather scarce this year. The Texans have also explored moving down, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who adds the team is indeed interested in climbing up from 25. The Chiefs have also been linked to climbing for a tackle, with a recent report pointing to the defending AFC champs plotting to move ahead of the Texans for an edge protector.

Robinson, Tomlinson, Brown and Ingram are on expiring contracts, while Tytus Howard‘s through-2026 deal does not include guaranteed money beyond 2025. The Texans missed on Green and have seen injuries play a key role up front during C.J. Stroud‘s tenure. It appears they are certainly interested in seeing if they can further upgrade their QB’s situation — after he failed to build on an Offensive Rookie of the Year season, as WR injuries also piled up — ahead of what could be a final year of rookie-deal status.

Titans Rejected Giants’ Offer For No. 1 Overall; Cleveland, New York Discussing Trades Back Into Round 1

April 23rd, 2025 at 11:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants held the No. 1 overall pick going into Week 17, but a Drew Lock-led upset win over the Colts dropped them out of that slot and vaulted the Titans to pole position. Week 18 did not change Tennessee’s draft position, and the team now appears a day away from adding Cam Ward as its next franchise centerpiece.

Around the Combine, we heard the Giants as a team interested in acquiring the No. 1 pick. Even as Ward-Titans links emerged, the Giants took their shot. They called the Titans multiple times with trade offers for No. 1, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. New GM Mike Borgonzi confirmed Tuesday the Titans are staying at 1, with a Ward pick imminent.

Multiple offers emerged, per Russini, who describes the Giants as being the most aggressive team with regards to acquiring the pick. Although the Giants’ offer included at least their 2025 third-rounder (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter), the full trade package is unknown, but this push — presumably for Ward — reminds of their Drake Maye pursuit last year.

New York made a strong offer for New England’s No. 3 overall pick. The deal would have given the Patriots the Giants’ first- and second-round picks last year and first-rounder this year; instead, the Patriots took Maye. The Giants then passing on J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix and Bo Nix thrust them into their current predicament, holding a top pick without a quarterback deemed worthy of it.

Strongly linked to passing on a QB at No. 3 to take one of this draft’s top two talents — either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter — the Giants look to be readying to trade back into Round 1 for a passer. They are in talks with teams with picks near the bottom of the first round, Russini adds. They join the Browns in that effort. Cleveland, New York and New Orleans appear in this boat, as the Saints have also been tied to tabling their QB need beyond their No. 9 overall pick.

Both the Browns and Giants added two veteran QBs apiece, which at least would send a capable starter for both teams into Week 1. But Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson are not enviable options for 2026; they are bottom-half options for 2025. Yet, each team has access to this draft’s best players. It is looking like the Browns and Giants’ trade-up efforts will need to be monitored after Hunter and Carter go off the board. The Giants may be split on Sanders, but more Jaxson Dart–Brian Daboll buzz is circulating. Chatter continues that Daboll likes the Ole Miss QB more than Sanders or any other non-Ward option, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes.

Although the Browns have still been linked to Carter in recent days, Hunter looks more likely to be Cleveland-bound. When asked about his potential draft destination, Carter’s reply (via SNY) pointed to a New York landing. The Giants traded for Brian Burns last year and used a top-five pick on Kayvon Thibodeaux in 2022. The latter has not quite justified that investment, though he has not been a bust like 2022 No. 7 overall pick Evan Neal. Carter, however, could displace Thibodeaux in New York’s lineup. Then again, the team has a past (under John Mara) of adding on the edge (Mathias Kiwanuka, Jason Pierre-Paul) when it already possessed a strong group.

The Steelers‘ No. 21 overall pick has come up with regards to a trade-up spot, per Graziano. That information comes after an early-week report indicated Pittsburgh is interested in trading down. This would seemingly add the Steelers to the list of QB-needy teams who do not believe Shedeur Sanders or one of the other second-tier options is worthy of the pick. Mike Tomlin being a Sanders fan would stand to negate a trade-down move, but the Steelers were not originally planning to use No. 21 on a QB. A Sanders fall could change that, and that will be a Day 1 draft subplot to monitor.

Teams are also potentially leery of the Rams at No. 26, Graziano adds, with trade-up discussions appearing to factor Matthew Stafford‘s age into this equation. The Giants pursued Stafford aggressively in February, but the Super Bowl-winning QB regrouped and stayed with the Rams. It would seem unlikely the Rams would use their top draft asset on a QB in a maligned class, but the team is running short on time to add a Stafford heir apparent.

Load More Posts