Dolphins On Radar For Day 2 QB Pick
Can Ward is already assembling questionable rankings that prop up Titans skill-position players, all but assuring he knows where he will be drafted. This now reminds of last year, when Caleb Williams‘ draft destination was known weeks in advance. The cloudy outlook for this draft’s second batch of quarterbacks is now generating more intrigue.
The Browns, Giants, Saints and Steelers join the Titans in coming into this draft with clear QB needs. The teams holding top-10 picks are viewed as likely to pass on this QB crop there before circling back, while the Steelers have been closely connected to QBs at No. 21. Another team without a quarterback need has resurfaced on the radar for a potential passer pick. The Dolphins are viewed as a team to monitor for a second-day draft choice at the position, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
Miami enters the draft with 10 selections, providing some flexibility. They could obtain more in trades involving Jalen Ramsey and/or Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins gave Zach Wilson $6MM guaranteed as a reclamation project, but the Jets learned the hard way about installing the erratic passer as their top backup two years ago. The Broncos then traded for Wilson, splitting his salary with the Jets, before burying him on their depth chart. The former No. 2 overall pick did not overtake Jarrett Stidham behind Bo Nix last year. As it stands, he is the clear-cut QB2 in Miami.
Though, the team having extended Tua Tagovailoa less than a year ago would make a Day 2 selection remind of the Eagles’ Carson Wentz–Jalen Hurts situation. The Eagles paid Wentz in summer 2019 before drafting Hurts in the 2020 second round. Philly’s move edged Wentz out of the picture after the 2020 season but has paid off in the long term. Hurts did not enter the 2020 draft as one of the premier passing prospects, reminding of this year’s lot of second-tier options. But Miami taking a Day 2 passer would still surprise given their Tua investment. That said, Tagovailoa has been unable to stay healthy. The Dolphins have only drafted one QB (seventh-rounder Skylar Thompson) since drafting Tua in 2020.
Coming up as a team doing work on QBs earlier during the pre-draft process, the Dolphins met with, scouted, or “evaluated” Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord. While Ewers, Shough and Milroe have been mentioned regularly leading up to the draft, Gabriel and McCord have flown under the radar. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. rates Gabriel as the 205th-best prospect in this class and McCord 236th. Both would seemingly be available well into Round 3. The Dolphins hold the Nos. 48 and 98 picks on Day 2, with Jones adding the fourth round also looms as a window teams are monitoring for a QB to go to Miami. The team holds two fourth-round picks (Nos. 116 and 135).
A passer chosen in the third or fourth rounds would not trip alarms on Tagovailoa’s timeline, even as the team carries a clear out — barring restructures — on the southpaw starter’s lucrative deal following the 2026 season. A QB coming to South Beach in Round 2 would, though. It will be interesting to see if the Dolphins impact the Browns, Giants and Saints’ trade-up efforts, but after Tagovailoa has missed 14 starts since 2021 (after he entered the league with a major hip injury), the team looks to be considering further protection.
Latest On Steelers, Aaron Rodgers; Mike Tomlin High On Shedeur Sanders?
APRIL 18: Members of the Steelers’ organization are anxious to move forward, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones writes. He adds, however, that Pittsburgh remains open to working out a deal – something which may very well take place after the draft. Jones predicts the Steelers’ “cutoff point” on the Rodgers front will come at some time this offseason, but it will likely not be after a rookie is selected (presuming the team takes that route next week).
APRIL 17: Aaron Rodgers broke his silence Thursday, but while he spoke of a disappointing exit meeting with the Jets’ new brass and of his batch of suitors, the high-profile (and high-maintenance) quarterback did not give a timeline for when, or if, he would sign. This leaves the Steelers — the lone team still waiting out this situation — a major question to answer soon. Will they opt to join the Giants in moving on?
That is not out of the question. This might be a situation the team chooses to steer clear of due to the “headache” that has been known to come with employing Rodgers, Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline writes. The Steelers still seem quite interested in Rodgers, to the point their power brokers expressed optimism about an agreement coming to fruition recently. But Pittsburgh’s offer has been on the table for over a month now. With the draft a week away, the team at least needs to have a contingency plan.
[RELATED: No Rodgers Timeline In Place; Steelers Have Explored Other QBs]
Going from Russell Wilson to Mason Rudolph would not qualify as an upgrade for the Steelers, despite the party line of the team being confident in the former Ben Roethlisberger backup and Kenny Pickett replacement. Retirement remains in play for Rodgers, who had alerted the Vikings of his interest in landing there this offseason. The Giants saw the writing on the wall and signed Wilson.
While Rodgers has thrown passes to D.K. Metcalf this offseason, the Steelers may need to come out of this draft with a starter-caliber option. Otherwise, the Rudolph insurance option may become necessary. Joe Flacco rejoining the Browns, and the Falcons are still wanting a suitor to pay a sizable portion of Kirk Cousins‘ 2025 salary in the event of a post-draft trade. That is believed to be an issue for the Steelers.
Rodgers did not give the Steelers an ultimatum regarding their draft strategy, as he would qualify as likely a 2025-only solution if he were to sign. This would not stand to affect the Steelers in the draft, though had Rodgers committed already, the team could certainly have the freedom to bolster its roster around the aging QB in the first round. Instead, the prospect the team uses a first-round pick on a quarterback has been bandied about for weeks. Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft sends Shedeur Sanders to Pittsburgh at No. 21, and Pauline points to that scenario being one the team’s highest-profile staffer may well endorse.
Mike Tomlin is a Sanders supporter, per Pauline, who adds the 19th-year HC would be “in favor” of drafting the Colorado prospect. Sanders detractors have pointed to a lack of high-level traits worthy of a first-round pick, with the QB not resembling his Hall of Fame father-turned-coach in terms of athleticism. Sanders has received praise for his accuracy and toughness, but concerns about his upside have led to doubts about the former Division I-FCS recruit finding a top-10 landing spot.
Unless the Browns and Giants are conducting elaborate smokescreen operations, Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter (in some order) will go off the board after Cam Ward. The Raiders, Jets and Saints could be in play for Sanders, but rumors are pointing those franchises elsewhere. This could leave a door open for the Steelers, though their situation — one Rodgers’ indecision has illuminated — leaves them vulnerable to a team trading in front of them at No. 21 and snagging Sanders. Tomlin-Jalen Milroe connections had formed earlier this offseason, but Pauline adds the accomplished HC sees potential in Sanders.
It does not sound like a Sanders pick will be a must for Tomlin and Pittsburgh, but if he is still on the board at No. 21, this connection will be quite relevant. Pittsburgh is not known for moving up in Round 1, though the franchise has done so twice in the past six drafts (for Devin Bush and Broderick Jones). That would be a scenario to monitor if Sanders falls past the Saints at No. 9.
The Steelers would have options in Milroe, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Quinn Ewers. Though, Derek Carr‘s updated situation creates uncertainty regarding the Saints’ direction. New Orleans wants to leave this draft with a quarterback. The Steelers probably need to as well, in the event their Rodgers’ pursuit goes bust.
Saints T Ryan Ramczyk Retires From NFL
The Saints restructured Ryan Ramczyk‘s contract earlier this offseason, doing so after the accomplished right tackle did not play in 2024. That move was expected to precede a retirement, and the veteran blocker confirmed Thursday (via Instagram) he is done.
A knee injury led to retirement rumors swirling late in 2023, and with 2024 not becoming a bounce-back year for Ramczyk, he will call it quits as a one-team player. Ramczyk retires after spending seven seasons as New Orleans’ right tackle starter. He made 102 starts and earned three All-Pro honors.
Acquired with the pick the Patriots sent to the Saints for Brandin Cooks (No. 32 overall), Ramczyk was part of a draft class that helped reopen a Super Bowl window. The Saints acquired Ramczyk and Marshon Lattimore in the 2017 first round, Marcus Williams in the second and the Alvin Kamara–Alex Anzalone–Trey Hendrickson trio in the third. The team’s fortunes improved immediately, and Ramczyk became a bookend for Drew Brees‘ final batch of contending squads.
Transferring from Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Ramczyk impressed at Wisconsin and surged onto the first-round radar. The Saints paired him with Terron Armstead for five seasons, closing out the Sean Payton era with that tackle tandem excelling. While Armstead battled injuries during this period, Ramczyk proved durable early in his career. Ramczyk missed just one game from 2017-20; that period featured four Saints playoff berths and the team adding three more postseason wins.
This Saints era became known for agonizing near-misses — via the Minneapolis Miracle sequence that involved a Williams misplay and then the infamous missed pass interference call against the Rams that likely denied a Super Bowl LIII berth — but Ramczyk became an important cog and secured a lucrative extension as a result. Late in Payton’s final offseason at the helm, the Saints gave Ramczyk a five-year, $96MM deal that included $43MM at signing. That became an important sequence for Ramczyk, who missed seven games in 2021 and reached a point-of-no-return situation two years later.
Following a 16-start 2022 season, Ramczyk managed to play 12 games in 2023. but his battle with a cartilage defect in his knee proved too much to overcome. The Saints placed Ramczyk on IR to close out the ’23 season, and they moved him to the reserve/PUP list before training camp last year, ending his ’24 campaign before it started. That made the January restructure and Thursday’s retirement unsurprising, but it wraps the career of one of the best O-linemen in Saints history.
Ramczyk, 31 next week, earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2019; second-team accolades sandwiched it. Brees closed his career with one of the NFL’s top O-lines protecting him. Two members from that unit remain, with Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz still on their second Saints contracts. Armstead signed with the Dolphins in 2022, while Andrus Peat joined the Raiders in 2024. Armstead joins Ramczyk in having retired in April, walking away after 12 seasons (nine in New Orleans).
The Saints are expected to designate Ramczyk a post-June 1 cut to help save money, as the eight-year vet agreed to reduce his 2025 base salary ($18MM) to the veteran minimum. This created $16MM in Saints cap space, and the team will spread out his $23.1MM dead money hit over two offseasons. For his career, Ramczyk earned just more than $69MM. His 101 starts rank eighth in Saints history by an O-lineman; among tackles, only Stan Brock and Hall of Famer Willie Roaf rank ahead of him in career Saints starts.
Broncos To Make WR Addition
Although Courtland Sutton extension talks are underway, the Broncos’ No. 1 wide receiver is heading into a contract year and an age-30 season. The team, which traded Jerry Jeudy for two Day 3 picks last year, has not seen a consistent option emerge beyond its veteran leader — a holdover from John Elway‘s GM tenure. As the draft approaches, many are mocking skill-position players to Denver early.
The Broncos would also could be a player for one of the veterans still on the free agency board. Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen and Tyler Lockett will likely wait until depth charts become clearer after the draft (and the compensatory deadline) passes, but with the Broncos having a few rookie-contract wideouts supplementing Sutton, they profile as a candidate for a rental complementary option. They were in the Cooper Kupp and Stefon Diggs markets, though it never sounded as though serious talks took place.
[RELATED: Broncos GM Confirms Team Will Draft RB]
Entering the draft, Sean Payton said the Broncos “add numbers to the position” — be it through the draft or free agency. Denver will assuredly include some receivers in its UDFA class, but it would surprise if a notable addition did not take place as well. Broncos fans will soon see how the team feels about the trajectories of Marvin Mims and 2024 draftees Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele.
Payton praised Vele and Franklin’s progress, via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson; a veteran addition or an early-round pick would stand to threaten the roles of those second-year players, as the team has Mims ticketed for a regular role after the two-time All-Pro returner showed considerable promise as a receiver late last season.
Nevertheless, the Broncos have met with Texas’ Matthew Golden and Missouri’s Luther Burden. They also are committed to adding to their running back group. The team’s confidence in its young WR cadre may well send a running back to Denver earlier. The team has met with Omarion Hampton — PFR’s Broncos selection at No. 20 — along with Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson and both Ohio State RB products (Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson).
Payton’s past with the Saints also featured a bevy of RB investments compared to top-heavy WR depth charts. The Saints drafted Reggie Bush and Mark Ingram in the first round and later paid Ingram and extended Alvin Kamara. Notable WR payments did take place (Marques Colston, Michael Thomas) under Payton, and the team did use a first-round pick on Brandin Cooks, but beyond the one-season Thomas-Cooks overlap, Payton’s teams did not overinvest at receiver.
Will the Broncos pass on an early-round Sutton sidekick next week? One move that would be a Payton first: trading down. Payton has never traded down in Round 1 (h/t the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel). Despite the rumblings about a running back or receiver addition early, a rumor about the Broncos devoting more resources on defense — even after the Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga signings — emerged as well, as smokescreen season runs wild.
The Broncos also lessened their tight end need by outmaneuvering the Chargers for Evan Engram. The former first-rounder’s agent said (via Gabriel) the recent Jaguars cap casualty viewed Bo Nix as a key driver for his signing, even as he considered other teams — the Bolts among them — with solid QB situations. Nix’s rookie contract runs through 2027, and his extension window does not open until after Engram’s contract expires.
Engram’s two-year, $23MM deal includes $16.5MM guaranteed at signing, likely tying the Broncos to their new TE1 for his age-31 and age-32 seasons. While the team could add at tight end as well in this draft, Engram’s presence would allow for patience.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/17/25
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: DT Branson Deen
- Waived/injured: TE Armani Rogers
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed ERFA tender: OL Austen Pleasants, TE Jake Tonges
Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear while training earlier this offseason, leading to this move. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson initially reported the injury, which required surgery. The Bills had given Rogers a reserve/futures deal in January. The son of former Bills linebacker Sam Rogers, Armani is a Buffalo native whose last game action came for the Commanders in 2022.
Draft Rumors: Golden, Lions, Texans, Bolts, Broncos, Commanders, Raiders, Browns, Saints, Seahawks, Loveland, Panthers
Matthew Golden‘s 4.29-second 40-yard dash showing at the Combine helped solidify him as one of this draft class’ top receiver prospects. Not quite a first-round pick in Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft, Golden has landed on the radar as a candidate to go on Day 1. The former Houston and Texas wideout has met with the Broncos, Buccaneers, Packers and Cowboys; he made some more trips before this week’s “30” visit deadline. Golden met with the Lions, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, and stopped through the Chargers and Texans‘ facilities, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Golden as his No. 16 overall prospect, despite the talented pass catcher not posting a 1,000-yard season in college. He will almost definitely become the third Texas receiver drafted in the first or second round in two years, following Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell.
A week out, here is the latest from the draft:
- Golden submitted the second-fastest 40 time at the Combine; Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston was fastest, at 4.28. Jeremiah’s No. 35 overall prospect, Hairston made some late visits as well. He also met with the Lions, while also spending time at the Commanders and Raiders‘ facilities, according to Rapoport. Finally, his tour included a Broncos meeting Tuesday, 9News’ Mike Klis adds. Among pure corners (non-Travis Hunter division), Jeremiah ranks Hairston behind only Jahdae Barron (Texas) and Will Johnson (Michigan). Hairston intercepted five passes in 2023, amassing 131 return yards and two TDs. The 6-foot-1 CB added another pick-six last season.
- Primarily linked to using their No. 20 overall pick on a skill-position player, the Broncos also used a “30” visit on Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen, Klis adds. The Broncos re-signed D.J. Jones (three years, $39MM) but have starters Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers in contract years. Both are believed to be on Denver’s extension radar, but the team has some post-2025 questions here.
- The Texans also spoke with Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka via Zoom, Wilson notes. A quality slot receiver who played as a sidekick to the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith in Columbus, Egbuka profiles as one of the safer picks at the position in this year’s draft. The slot weapon sandwiched an injury-limited 2023 season with 1,000-yard showings, helping the Buckeyes cover for Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s near-full-season absence in 2022. Egbuka also met with the Cowboys and Packers.
- Shifting to the eight end market, Colston Loveland is expected to be a mid-first-round pick next week, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes, mentioning a 10-22 range in connection with the Wolverines standout. While not rivaling the monster stat line Tyler Warren produced last season, Loveland still made key contributions to Michigan’s 2023 national championship and has checked in consistently as this draft’s second-best tight end prospect. Loveland’s 56 catches set a Michigan TE record last year, and Schultz adds the high-level prospect has interviewed well. If Warren is off the board early, Loveland may not drop past the TE-needy Colts (No. 14).
- Mason Taylor has made a case to become this draft’s third tight end selection. The younger brother of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, Mason finished up his pre-draft visit schedule with Browns, Saints and Seahawks meetings, Schultz adds. Jeremiah’s No. 32 overall prospect, Taylor is part of a deep TE class. While the group may not match what 2023 brought, prospect-wise, the Warren-Loveland-Taylor-Elijah Arroyo contingent will generate considerable intrigue from teams who just saw a tight end (Brock Bowers) immediately become a team’s go-to target. Taylor caught 55 passes for 546 yards at LSU last season.
- The Panthers completed a recent visit with UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger, Rapoport adds. Schwesinger was popular on the “30” circuit this year, already meeting with the Raiders after conducting a private pro day in L.A. earlier this month.
QB Drew Lock Returning To Seahawks
APRIL 17: Lock’s return to the Emerald City comes on a two-year pact, as detailed by Over the Cap. The $5MM deal contains $2.25MM locked in at signing (which covers the 2025 season) and includes a $1MM signing bonus. Lock will thus be able to once again operate as a low-cost Seahawks backup, this time with Darnold in place.
APRIL 11: QB dominoes are falling Friday, and a third reunion will take place. After Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson made return trips Friday morning, Drew Lock will follow suit.
The Seahawks are re-signing Lock, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Lock will slide in as a Sam Darnold backup, doing so after playing mostly a backup role as a Giant in 2024. Lock had served as Geno Smith‘s backup from 2022-23.
Initially obtained as part of the eight-asset package the Broncos sent over for Russell Wilson, Lock did not beat out Smith to win the Seahawks’ starting job in 2022. But he became a player the team viewed as valuable. The Seahawks initially re-signed Lock in 2023, keeping him around (at one year and $4MM) despite choosing Smith as their surefire starter. No QB controversy spawned after Smith seized the role as Wilson’s successor, but Lock stayed on after the expiration of his rookie contract. After a rather forgettable Giants one-off, the six-year veteran is coming back to the Pacific Northwest.
Although Pete Carroll is out, the GM who traded for Lock — John Schneider — is calling the shots as Seattle’s top personnel exec. Lock will play behind Darnold, who signed a three-year, $100.5MM deal to replace Smith days after Seattle traded its three-year starter to Las Vegas.
Lock had been on the Seahawks’ radar to retain in 2024, but Schneider stirred up some controversy by indicating he signed with the Giants (one year, $5MM) due partially to being told he could compete for a starting job. Big Blue pushed back on that, not seriously considering a Daniel Jones demotion during the ’24 offseason. But Lock did make his way into the lineup, as the team ultimately did jettison Jones after a six-year partnership fizzled.
Lock’s decision to rejoin the Seahawks hours after Flacco recommitted to the Browns may not be a coincidence. It is certainly possible Cleveland looked at Lock as a potential bridge starter, as he has a bit more experience at the controls than Kenny Pickett. Though, Lock has not been looked at as a preferred starter since the Broncos replaced him with Teddy Bridgewater in 2021. Given a quick hook in Denver, the former second-round pick still has made 28 career starts. A rather notable outing took place last December, helping Lock finalize his case for another QB2 gig.
In a game that dropped the Giants out of the No. 1 draft slot, Lock sliced up the Colts in a shootout win. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards and four touchdown passes. Lock did not throw an interception against Indianapolis, and while the win looks to have blocked the Giants from solving their QB problem with Cam Ward, it helped Lock secure another opportunity. He will join 2024 trade acquisition Sam Howell on Seattle’s roster. Considering Howell started 17 games for the 2023 Commanders, this represents a gradual fall for the North Carolina product.
Lock, 28, was 1-4 as a starter last season; the Giants initially went with Tommy DeVito over the veteran upon benching Jones. As a Seahawk, Lock went 1-1 as a starter. The win came during a Monday-night game against a cratering Eagles defense, but Lock has been a streaky passer — one prone to INTs — throughout his career. Like fellow Mizzou alums Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert, he continues to secure regular QB2 employment.
Abdul Carter Still In Play For Browns At No. 2 Overall?
If/once the Titans start the draft with Cam Ward, as they are widely expected to, the Browns will have this year’s top two overall prospects from which to choose. Cleveland-Travis Hunter links have been strong for a bit now, but it does not appear the team is locked into the two-way phenom.
The Browns are still believed to be seriously considering Abdul Carter, whom Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline notes is “neck and neck” with Hunter to go second overall. Carter had been closely linked to the Browns in late March, but Hunter buzz had seemingly overtaken that path for the Penn State edge rusher. Barely a week away from the draft, it appears the Giants may still have hope Hunter falls to No. 3, as one Pauline source was “adamant” the Browns are leaning Carter.
The top prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, Carter is not expected to fall past the Giants if the Browns pass. Although the Giants have Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the team made similar value plays — drafting Mathias Kiwanuka (2006) and Jason Pierre-Paul (2010) despite deep edge arsenals — during John Mara‘s ownership tenure. Carter would qualify as a higher-profile move, as neither Kiwanuka nor JPP were top-10 picks. But the Giants would seemingly prefer Hunter, who plays position(s) where the team is weaker.
Conversely, the Browns remain in need of a Myles Garrett complementary piece. The team just gave Garrett a defender-record $40MM-per-year extension to squash his trade push; having Carter at a rookie-scale rate would certainly help. Then again, Hunter’s unique skillset could be too much to overlook at No. 2. Carter’s medical sheet will play a key role here, but the Browns have certainly done their homework on the former Nittany Lion dynamo.
A foot stress reaction both kept Carter from participating in the Combine, though Hunter is healthy and joined other top prospects in passing, and Penn State’s pro day. Carter, however, is believed to be improving; surgery is not expected to be necessary, representing an important detail ahead of the draft. Medicals here are still paramount for a Carter investment, as Pauline adds clearance may be what pushes such a move past the goal line.
Browns brass dined with Carter before his pro day; this came after he visited the Cleveland facility in March. With buzz increasingly pointing both Cleveland and New York passing on filling their QB needs in the top three, the draft will likely feature Carter and Hunter following Ward off the board next week. Both players have been viewed as this draft’s top two prospects since the season ended. Considering Hunter’s unusual versatility, it would be quite interesting if the Browns passed.
The Browns viewing Carter as a pass rusher too good to pass up would remind a bit of the Texans leading off the 2014 draft by taking Jadeveon Clowney to team with a soon-to-be expensive J.J. Watt. With Clowney and Za’Darius Smith out as Garrett sidekicks, the Browns adding Carter as a higher-end successor would be one of the more important draft decisions in franchise history.
AFC Draft Rumors: Membou, Raiders, Titans, Jackson, Texans, Bengals, Jaguars
The top four teams in this draft seem pointed in certain directions, while value may tie the Jaguars to Mason Graham. At No. 6, the Raiders could go in a few directions. One of them could be an offensive line investment. Kolton Miller is entrenched at left tackle, though he is entering an age-30 season, but a question looms on the right side. The team could answer it at No. 6, and Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline notes the Raiders are giving strong consideration to leaving Ashton Jeanty on the board to take Missouri tackle Armand Membou. Although the superstar running back sits third on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board (compared to Membou’s 12th-place ranking), the latter carries greater positional value. John Spytek saw the Buccaneers hit on Tristan Wirfs at RT in the 2020 first round; that move helped QB-turned-Raiders part-owner Tom Brady. Membou would give Las Vegas a clear-cut RT answer to help Geno Smith, though Jeanty would boost the QB’s thin weaponry cadre. .
Here is the latest from the AFC draft landscape:
- If the Raiders trade down, ESPN.com’s Matt Miller pairs them with Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron. Residing as one of the top corners in this draft, Barron matches up against Michigan’s Will Johnson for the honor of best pure CB — behind two-way star Travis Hunter — in this class, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. Jeremiah ranks Barron 11th overall, tabbing the ex-Longhorn as a player who can offer NFL teams the option of playing outside, in the slot or in the box. Johnson profiles as more of a straight-up boundary defender, though the recent slot CB payments underscore how high the league values perimeter defenders by comparison. The Raiders have a clear need at corner, having cut Antonio Pierce reclamation project Jack Jones.
- The Jaguars could impede the Raiders on Membou, whom some teams view as a guard, or pluck Will Campbell at No. 5 — if the Patriots pass. Jacksonville added some midlevel options up front in free agency, signing ex-Ravens spork Patrick Mekari and ex-Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey. The team still extended Walker Little (under since-fired GM Trent Baalke) and has 2023 first-round tackle Anton Harrison under contract through 2026. Ezra Cleveland is also back, but the Jags could aim higher by adding Membou or Campbell. This scenario is not one to overlook, per the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora.
- Seeing some issues form along their front, the Bengals join the Jags as a team expected to invest in O-line help, La Canfora adds. The team has tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and 2024 first-rounder Amarius Mims, but center Ted Karras and guard Cordell Volson are in contract years. The team could use interior help, potentially via multiple reinforcements next week.
- The Texans and Titans are also looking into O-line help in this draft, each scheduling “30” visits with Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson before Wednesday’s deadline, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The Titans brought in Jackson last week, while the Texans are meeting with him today. The left tackle for Ohio State’s national championship-winning team, Jackson profiles as a guard at the next level. He logged 31 consecutive starts at guard for the Buckeyes from 2022 until the midseason shift last year, giving teams plenty of data from a blue-blood program to evaluate.
- The Titans also met with Missouri wide receiver prospect Luther Burden, per veteran reporter Paul Kuharsky. Burden met with the team Tuesday and could certainly fill a need in Nashville, as the Titans have not made a starter-level receiver addition — their Van Jefferson signing notwithstanding — after losing DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd.
- Houston also met with Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. One of the best run defenders in this draft class, Grant could be a player to watch for the Chargers and the coach who signed him in college. The Texans ending Jim Harbaugh‘s first season slides them three draft slots lower than the Bolts (Nos. 22 and 25) in Round 1.
Giants Receiving Trade Calls; Team Expected To Stay At No. 3
Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll may well need a solid start to the 2025 season to retain their jobs, after John Mara alluded to losing patience after a 3-14 season. The Giants need a long-term quarterback answer, after Daniel Jones failed on a long runway, but their decision to pass on three first-round QBs last year looms large now.
The Giants are not expected to draft a QB at No. 3, and teams may have New York’s QB situation in mind when making trade calls. Schoen confirmed (via Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano) he has received calls about No. 3 overall. Pointing to the Giants staying at 3, Schoen said the team likes who will be there by that point in the draft.
[RELATED: Tension Growing Between Schoen, Daboll?]
Expected to have either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter on the board at that spot, the Giants are almost certain to take whichever player the Browns do not. This scenario involves the Titans making their long-rumored Cam Ward pick at No. 1. The Giants would need to be creative if they added Carter, as the team already rosters Brian Burns‘ upper-market contract and former No. 5 overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. While the Giants have a history of adding edge players when the area was already deep (via the Mathias Kiwanuka and Jason Pierre-Paul picks), neither player was chosen near the juncture Carter would be; Kiwanuka went 32nd in 2006, JPP 15th in ’10.
This situation has likely come up in trade calls, too, as the Giants could auction the pick for teams eyeing Carter — if the Browns take Hunter. Schoen would not hesitate on Carter, despite the presences of lofty EDGE investments, and he would not stand in the way of Hunter playing both ways.
The Giants have straddled the line on Hunter’s best position, initially viewing him as a better cornerback before also being open to the Heisman winner at receiver. Schoen said (via the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard) the team would let Hunter play both ways, as he has “proven he can do it.” This would be an extraordinary step in the modern game. Schoen would presumably want Hunter to concentrate on one position while mixing in elsewhere, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan adds, noting CB would likely be the team’s first choice. Schoen added the team “likes” its secondary already.
One of these players heading to the Big Apple would ramp up the pressure for the team to tab a long-term QB soon after, though Schoen at least paid lip service to the Giants’ Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston signings not mandating (via ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan) the team draft another option. Tommy DeVito remains on the team as well.
That said, the Giants have again done extensive QB work. The effort will conclude this week with Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe and Tyler Shough workouts. These will all come after the team conducted “30” visits with these passers. Jaxson Dart would also loom as a potential option in a scenario featuring a trade back into Round 1. Dart is not expected to be on the board when the Giants’ second-round pick (No. 34) goes on the clock. Both Dart and Sanders bring murky draft statuses, though, complicating a path that will begin with Hunter or Carter going at No. 3.
“If the value matches up with what we have on a player. (But) I’m not going to force it if it’s not the right value,” Schoen said (via Vacchiano). “If the board lines up when we’re on the clock, we’ll go with it. I’m not going to be backed into a corner on that.”
While it would surprise if the Giants left this draft without a quarterback, the team could technically field a Wilson-Winston-DeVito depth chart. That would not qualify as one of the NFL’s better QB trios, but it is an option if Schoen and Co. want to load up on position players to strengthen the roster around Wilson.
The team does want to come out of this draft with a quarterback, Vacchiano adds, but it does not love the class enough to mandate such a move. Although the Giants hold Ward in high regard, their late-season upset over the Colts scuttled that route.
Mara will not travel to Boulder, Schoen added, for Sanders’ workout. We heard recently that an owner becoming involved may be a way for Sanders to come off the board in Round 1. With Schoen not assured of being back in 2026, Mara’s voice may be important early in this draft. The Giants made a rather notable trade-up for a quarterback 21 years ago, agreeing to the post-selection swap for Eli Manning. Any move in this draft would not approach that decision’s stature, but the Giants would face franchise-defining questions at the position if they left this draft without a post-2025 plan at the position.