Cardinals Draft CB Will Johnson At No. 47
Will Johnson‘s slide down the board has come to an end. The Cardinals used pick No. 47 on the Michigan cornerback. 
Johnson was long seen as one of the top defenders in general and cover men in particular in the 2025 draft class. He was thus regarded as a first-round lock for much of the pre-draft process. However, concerns over a knee injury recently opened the door for Johnson needing to wait awhile to hear his name called.
A three-year contributor with the Wolverines, the junior faced high expectations entering the 2024 season. During Michigan’s title run the year before, Johnson proved to be a pivotal figure; the All-American earned Defensive MVP honors in the national championship game. Last year, however, he dealt with multiple injuries and was limited to just six games as a result.
Johnson faced questions about his long speed, and his decision to not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine or his Pro Day furthered concerns on that front. Nevertheless, the potential remains for him to operate as a starting boundary corner at the NFL level based on his footwork and football IQ. He will look to do so upon arrival in Arizona.
The Cardinals ranked mid-pack in terms of passing yards allowed last season. Still, plenty of room exists for upgrading in the secondary, especially after the team addressed the defensive front last night (Walter Nolen). Johnson will join a CB room led by Sean Murphy-Bunting along with recent draftees Garrett Williams, Elijah Jones and Max Melton.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported early today some teams see Johnson as a one-contract player due to his knee issue. The Cardinals are clearly not one of them, but it will be interesting to see how his early NFL career tenure plays out on the health front.
Bills Obtain No. 41 From Bears In Six-Pick Swap
Buffalo will use one of its two second-round picks to move up the board. The Bills are acquiring No. 41 from the Bears in a six-pick trade. 
The Bills will add Nos. 41, 72 and 240, while the Bears are picking up Nos. 56, 62 and 109. Chicago came into the draft with two second-rounders as well, holding an extra pick from the 2023 Bryce Young swap. Buffalo selected South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders.
Defensive tackle was seen as a roster need entering the draft for Buffalo. As a result, many pointed to the opening round as a time when adding along the D-line could be targeted. Instead, the Bills made a notable secondary addition by drafting cornerback Maxwell Hairston. Now, Sanders has been selected as a contender to see plenty of playing time right away.
Yet to turn 22, Sanders demonstrated plenty of potential over the course of his final two campaigns with the Gamecocks. He totaled 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks during that span. While concerns have been raised about his run defense, Sanders will be counted on to provide a pass-rush presence early and often in Buffalo. The team compiled 37 sacks last season, 21st in the NFL.
Ed Oliver remains attached to a $17MM-per-year contract, and he will be tasked with reprising his starting gig in 2025. Veteran DaQuan Jones and free agent addition Larry Ogunjobi are also in the fold, as is 2024 third-rounder DeWayne Carter. Plenty of snaps will be devoted to that group, but the Bills’ decision to trade up for Sanders indicates he should be involved as a rookie as well. If he develops as hoped, he will provide Buffalo with another long-term option along the defensive interior.
Patriots Select RB TreVeyon Henderson At No. 38
After making an expected addition along the offensive line last night, the Patriots have targeted a backfield move in the second round. New England has drafted running back TreVeyon Henderson at No. 38. 
The Ohio State product remained a key figure on offense during his four years with the program. That included a carer-best 7.1 yards per carry average in 2024 as he helped the Buckeyes to a national championship. Henderson also matched his personal best with 27 receptions last year, further demonstrating his two-way skillset.
Efficiency on the ground and through the air helped endear Pats offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to Henderson, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes. Strong work with respect to pass protection is always a solid path to playing time for young running backs as they enter the NFL. In this case, that should result in plenty of opportunities in New England for 2025.
The Patriots finished 31st in the league in total offense last season. While the team ranked in the top half of the NFL in terms of rushing totals, it comes as little surprise a rookie backfield addition has been made early in the draft. Henderson will now join veterans Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson at the RB spot with New England.
Stevenson was benched at times in 2024 due to fumbling issues, leaving Gibson in place as the team’s lead back. Both are on the books for multiple years, so they should remain in the fold for at least next season. However, Henderson should be able to carve out a role for himself on third downs given his strength in pass protection. It will be interesting to see if his workload expands beyond that early on.
Protecting quarterback Drake Maye was a priority on Thursday with the selection of offensive tackle Will Campbell fourth overall. That has remained a goal into Day 2 as New England looks to continue making changes on offense under head coach Mike Vrabel.
Browns Draft Carson Schwesinger At No. 33
The Browns have kicked off the second night of the draft with a defensive addition. UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger has been selected with the No. 33 pick. 
Cleveland was in position to take Travis Hunter second overall last night, but the team’s long-negotiated trade with the Jaguars became official. As a result, the Browns acquired capital for this year and next and added along the defensive line by selecting Michigan’s Mason Graham. Today’s opening pick marks another selection aimed at upgrading the front seven.
Schwesinger was a no-star recruit who failed to start a game during his first two seasons in college. As a result, it would have been seen as a surprise at the start of the 2024 campaign that he would be drafted early on Day 2. Given how the season played out, though, the junior entered the pre-draft process as the consensus No. 2 linebacker prospect in this year’s class. Jihaad Campbell (Eagles) went 31st overall yesterday, and Schwesinger has come off the board shortly thereafter.
In 2024, Schwesinger’s production erupted with 136 tackles (including 8.5 for loss), four sacks and a pair of interceptions. His work in coverage in particular led to a dramatic rise in his draft stock. The first-team All-American profiles as a candidate to see plenty of playing time early in his career as he looks to help a defense which ranked just 21st in the NFL against the run last season.
A neck injury limited Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to eight games in 2024, and his return timeline remains unclear at this point. The Browns hope to have him back in the fold at some point next season, but Schwesinger could step into a starting gig early on if Week 1 does not prove to be feasible. In any case, the latter will be expected to operate as a core defender in Cleveland for years to come.
Draft Trade Notes: Chargers, Campbell, Loveland, Cowboys, Ravens, Conerly
The Eagles wound up moving one spot up the first-round order last night. The move ensured the Super Bowl champions were able to select Jihaad Campbell, but that was not the only effort made to trade up the board.
Philadelphia negotiated with the Chargers about acquiring the No. 22 pick, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports. He adds Los Angeles was in conversation with multiple teams while on the clock, but the proposed deal with the Eagles may very well have fallen through due to an “issue” communicating it to the league.
By rule, both teams must contact the NFL separately to report the terms of a trade agreement. Since that did not take place in time, the Bolts retained their pick and drafted North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton. The Eagles still wound up acquiring Campbell – the target of the attempted Chargers trade, per Florio – at No. 31. The Alabama product will look to make an immediate impact at the second level and/or on the edge during his rookie season.
Here are some other draft-related notes from last night’s opening round:
- Colston Loveland was the first tight end to hear his name called on Thursday night. The Michigan alum went 10th overall to the Bears, a team which received interest for their top selection. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Loveland was the subject of trade calls leading up to Chicago’s pick. Movement on the trade front only took place much later in the round after the Bears committed to staying put. When speaking to the media on Friday, Loveland revealed (via Scott Bair of Marquee Sports) he is halfway through his shoulder rehab; with progress continuing to be made, he will aim to return to full health in time for the start of his rookie campaign.
- For the third time in the past four years, the Cowboys looked to the offensive line during the first round of the draft. Alabama Guard Tyler Booker went 12th overall, a move which came as no surprise considering where the team’s board stood at the time. David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports Booker was the highest-rated player available at that point out of the remaining prospects. Moore adds the Cowboys had 12 prospects with a first-round grade, which helps explain the decision to remain in place instead of trading down.
- When speaking to the media, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said (via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley) opportunities were presented to move down the order. Instead, Baltimore stayed put at No. 27 and took Georgia safety Malaki Starks. DeCosta said the team’s strong Starks evaluation allowed for the potential of a trade-down move to be outweighed by the upside of selecting him.
- The Browns and Texans own the top two selections in the second round, and to no surprise both teams are receiving calls. Last night, though, Cleveland and Houston showed interest in acquiring a late Day 1 selection; Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports the target in both cases was Josh Conerly Jr. The Oregon tackle came off the board at No. 29 (Commanders), which put an end to those efforts. Of course, that suggests help along the O-line will be a priority tonight for those teams.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/25/25
Friday’s minor moves in the lead-in to Day 2 of the draft:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire, WR Ramel Keyton, DT Tyler Manoa, LB Kana’i Mauga, LB Jackson Mitchell, RB Isaiah Spiller
Saints Unlikely To Target Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders‘ stock was a talking point throughout the opening round of the draft, and after he was not selected last night that remains the case on Friday. Uncertainty continues to loom over where the Colorado quarterback will wind up. 
The Giants succeeded in moving back into the Day 1 order after retaining the No. 3 pick. New York’s quarterback pursuit resulted in Jaxson Dart being picked 25th overall, a move which came after teams previously listed as potential Sanders suitors – including the Steelers – chose to go in a different direction. The Browns and Saints, as expected, used their top-10 selections along the line of scrimmage instead of taking a QB.
New Orleans is therefore among the hypothetical landing spots for Sanders or another Day 2 option. However, ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry reports the team should be expected to again steer clear of the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year tonight (video link). The second or third round looms as a feasible spot for a QB move to be made, but it was clear prior to the opening round New Orleans had done more work on Dart than Sanders. With the former no longer available, it will be interesting to see how the Saints proceed.
Derek Carr is set to handle starting duties on paper for 2025, the first season with Kellen Moore in place as head coach. Carr’s shoulder injury continues to cloud his availability for next year, though, with surgery looming as an option. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener are both attached to their rookie contracts, and Rattler made six starts in 2024 while filling in for Carr. One or both of them could receive further looks, but it would come as no surprise if another option (such as Texas product Quinn Ewers) were to be added.
Provided that move does not consist of a Sanders selection, the list of suitors on that front will shrink. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones predicts a drop out of the second round will not be in store (video link), but he also confirms there is uncertainty regarding when Sanders’ name will be called. The Browns own picks 33 and 36, meaning they will have the opportunity to make him their long-term attempt to find a Deshaun Watson replacement. The Rams – who will need to identify a Matthew Stafford successor sometime soon – moved down to 46 last night, and they could be a team to watch regarding an addition under center.
Of course, Ewers, Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Tyler Shough (Louisville) are other options on that front for teams eyeing a move tonight. Sanders may or may not go ahead of that trio, but it remains to be seen which strong suitors are targeting him. In any case, the Saints should not be counted among them.
Bryce Young Pushed For Panthers’ Tetairoa McMillan Selection; Rams Showed Interest
Many expected the Panthers to explore trading down during last night’s opening round. Failing that, a defensive addition was seen as a logical target. Wideout Tetairoa McMillan emerged as a name to watch, however, and the Arizona wideout was taken with the No. 8 pick. 
In the wake of that decision, further details have emerged on the McMillan pick. Carolina elected to draft a wideout for the second offseason in a row, after general manager Dan Morgan and Co. went with Xavier Legette in 2024. McMillan had a strong advocate in the form of quarterback Bryce Young, something he touched on shortly after hearing his name called.
“Going into Mr. Morgan’s office, going into coach [Dave] Canales’ office and really just sitting on the table for me and telling them, ‘Hey, man, we need to pick this guy,’” McMillan said, via Joe Person of The Athletic (subscription required). “Although I feel like I did what I needed to do to be in this position, I give credit to Bryce for vouching for me and ultimately for them taking a chance on me.”
Over the course of his three years in college, the All-American demonstrated a strong ability with respect to contested catches in particular. While questions linger about McMillan’s deep speed and ability to separate at the NFL level, his skillset will be welcomed on a offense which ranked 30th in passing yardage last season. It will be interesting to see how Young and McMillan operate together given the former No. 1 pick’s role in the latter’s arrival in Charlotte.
Morgan said (via Person) there was trade interest in the Panthers’ top pick, which comes as no surprise. The Rams were among those looking to move up the board, with Person’s colleague Dianna Russini reporting McMillan was viewed as the target for that effort. Los Angeles moved on from Cooper Kupp this offseason, leaving Puka Nacua and free agent addition Davante Adams atop the depth chart at the WR spot. After seeing McMillan (along with fellow wideouts Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden) hear their names called on Day 1, the Rams ultimately traded out of the first round.
For the Panthers, meanwhile, McMillan will be expected to handle a notable workload right away alongside Legette and (for at least one season) veteran Adam Thielen. If he develops as planned, the team could have a strong receiver tandem in place for years to come.
Giants To Exercise Kayvon Thibodeaux’s Fifth-Year Option
APRIL 25: Carter indeed became the Giants’ pick at No. 3, but Schoen confirmed (via The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson) the Giants will exercise Thibodeaux’s 2026 option. The Giants will now have their formidable three-EDGE group signed beyond 2025. Burns’ deal runs through 2028, while Carter’s rookie-scale contract — which will include a fifth-year option — can go through 2029.
APRIL 24: While their attention remains focused on the opening round of tonight’s draft, the Giants will soon have a decision to make with respect to Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s short-term future. May 1 looms as the deadline to exercise or decline his fifth-year option. 
In February, it was reported New York could be expected to pick up the option for 2026. Doing so would put Thibodeaux in line to collect $14.75MM that season, a figure well short of the top of the current edge rush market. The former fifth overall pick has battled inconsistency during his first three years in the league, however, something which has made the looming option decision a talking point.
On that note, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports the Giants are still “likely” to exercise Thibodeaux’s option. The 24-year-old has plenty of time to develop further, and a repeat of his 11.5-sack 2023 campaign would certainly make a short-term investment worthwhile. With 2024 trade acquisition Brian Burns already attached to a lucrative deal, though, moving on from Thibodeaux and replacing him with a rookie like Abdul Carter tonight has been mentioned as a possible maneuver for general manager Joe Schoen and Co.
As Schwartz writes, however, the Giants’ plans on the Thibodeaux front are unlikely to change even if Carter (seen by many as the favorite for the No. 3 pick) is selected. The Penn State product has experience as an inside linebacker, something which could help New York find ways to keep him along with Thibodeaux and Burns on the field together. Especially if the Giants elect to keep Thibodeaux in the fold for at least the next two years, the matter of a long-term arrangement will become something to watch.
The Oregon product has expressed a desire to remain in the Big Apple, although he does not expect negotiations on a multi-year accord to take place this offseason. Thibodeaux’s production in terms of sacks and pressures took a notable step back in 2024 compared to the previous campaign. That can partially be attributed to the fact he was limited to 12 games last year, but questions remain about the potential for a long-term stretch of production matching the talent he showed in college.
The Giants currently sit mid-pack in the NFL in projected 2026 cap space, and absorbing a spike in pay with respect to Thibodeaux that year would not be a challenge. By this time next week, it will be known if he will remain in place beyond the coming campaign.
Chiefs Select T Josh Simmons At No. 32
To no surprise, the Chiefs have looked at the offensive tackle spot to close out the first round of the draft. Ohio State’s Josh Simmons is headed to Kansas City. With Simmons on the roster, the team now has plenty of bodies to work with on the line, if they can just figure out the right combination. 
It’s a good thing the Chiefs have so many bodies, too, since Simmons could be a bit of a project in the NFL. After a redshirt season at San Diego State, Simmons started a season at right tackle before transferring to Columbus and switching to left tackle. As a redshirt junior, Simmons returned to start on the left side before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Still, the 22-year-old has displayed quickness off the line of scrimmage and impressive balance in his time as a starter.
Last year’s starting tackles for the Chiefs, Jawaan Taylor and Wanya Morris, were anything but impressive in 2024. The team still has last year’s second-round pick, Kingsley Suamataia, and free agent signing Jaylon Moore to work with, but plenty of question marks remain on the depth chart. Luckily, enough of those players can man the offensive line effectively until Simmons is recovered and ready to contribute.
Simmons certainly holds the potential to act as an improvement at tackle in Kansas City, but most of his impact in 2025 will depend on his injury outlook. If Simmons can recover quickly, he stands a chance of making a significant impact in the coming year. If not, the Chiefs will hope he can contribute in the near future.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.