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Teams Unlikely To Trade Much In First Round of Draft

April 10th, 2025 at 7:40pm CST by Ely Allen

We’ve seen a common refrain bouncing around with several teams in the leadup to the 2025 NFL Draft: (input team here) is a likely candidate to trade down. The reason for this stems from a view that this year’s draft class lacks elite, top-end talent but boasts enough starting-caliber players to last well into the third round. Because of this, teams don’t seem to be valuing early draft picks as much, instead looking to acquire as many picks as possible.

Unfortunately, though, when so many teams are looking to trade down, it makes it harder to do so. That lack of elite, top-end players in the first round is going to make it difficult to find suitors to trade up with. Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht was quoted today saying that “he doesn’t foresee…many teams wanting to trade up across the league,” per the PewterReport X account. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport seemed to agree, claiming that “not a lot of teams are trying to move up.”

This doesn’t mean that no teams are going to trade up. A couple teams may fall in love with a certain player enough to chase him up the draft board. More likely, though, in the back half of the first round, teams targeting specific positions are going to want to trade into the first round to take players at those positions, especially if those teams currently reside at the top of the second round. Specifically, positions with the most expensive contracts, like quarterbacks and offensive tackles, could see prospects targeted by trading back into the first round.

This is because first-round picks are granted a fifth-year option that the rest of the draft class doesn’t get in its contracts. Passers and bookend blockers can be expensive to retain on second contracts, so having an extra year to work out contract extensions can be crucial. Similarly, quarterbacks and tackles are often the most likely candidates to be asked to sit and develop in the early years of their contracts. Having that fifth-year option gives teams an extra year to help determine if they want to keep a developing player long-term.

ESPN enlisted the help of multiple beat reporters to give some intel into what they’re hearing about their respective teams, and four of them fell into this group mentioned in the last paragraph. Jordan Reid believed the Browns and Giants could both trade back into the first round for a passer after using their Nos. 2 & 3 picks on Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter. Other teams could trade up for different positions but for the same reason. Matt Miller claimed that the Titans could trade up for a wide receiver at the end of the first round and that the Bears could do the same for a pass rusher.

There are several teams with a limited number of picks — Cardinals (6), Vikings (4), and Commanders (5) — that Reid and Miller identify as teams who could be easy targets to trade up with for the four teams mentioned above. Those teams should have their pick of the litter with so many others wanting to trade back, but with Arizona, Minnesota, and Washington so lacking in picks, teams looking to trade up may get more bang for their buck from that trio.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/8/25

April 8th, 2025 at 6:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Tuesday’s minor NFL transactions:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Wright didn’t last long as a free agent. He signs with the Bears after being released by Minnesota yesterday.

Franklin had nine starts in his first four years of his career with the Panthers, but after being relegated to the practice squad in 2024, Franklin didn’t appear until the eighth game of the season and played primarily on special teams, only seeing four defensive snaps on the year. He’ll now bring his secondary and special teams experience to Denver.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/7/25

April 7th, 2025 at 7:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

At Least Six Teams Planning Private Workout For Penn State TE Tyler Warren

April 6th, 2025 at 1:57pm CST by Rory Parks

APRIL 6: Warren only has one official top-30 visit on deck, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. In a further sign of how highly regarded he is, Schultz adds one team set to select in the top 10 has canceled its private workout with Warren. A long wait on the opening night of the draft should not be expected.

MARCH 30: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren is seen as one of the top players at his position in this year’s draft class, and many pundits view him as the best TE option. As such, Warren joined college teammate and fellow first-round prospect Abdul Carter in sitting out the Nittany Lions’ Pro Day on Friday, with Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com reporting Warren will instead work out for a handful of interested clubs prior to the draft.

Pauline refers to Warren as an “acquired taste” and says not every team has him as the premier TE in the 2025 pool. At least one club views last year’s John Mackey Award winner as the fourth-best tight end in the class, and draftniks like Pauline and ESPN’s Matt Miller consider him the second-best prospect behind Michigan’s Colston Loveland. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., meanwhile, place Warren at the top of the TE hierarchy.

One way or another, Warren should hear his name called in Round 1. Pauline had previously reported that the Jets are “infatuated” with the soon-to-be 23-year-old, and he had also noted the Colts have significant interest. Unsurprisingly, then, both New York and Indianapolis – which hold the No. 7 and No. 14 overall picks, respectively – plan to bring Warren in for a private workout.

The Saints (No. 9 overall), Bears (No. 10), Chargers (No. 23), and Rams (No. 26) are also on Warren’s itinerary, per Pauline. None of those clubs have the same glaring TE need as the Jets and Colts, but with the top of the Bolts’ TE depth chart comprised of Will Dissly and new acquisition Tyler Conklin – who recently signed a modest one-year accord – a high-ceiling addition would make sense there. Likewise, the Rams’ Tyler Higbee is eligible for free agency next year and is entering his age-32 campaign, which makes both Los Angeles outfits logical Warren suitors.

It would be somewhat surprising to see Warren fall beyond Indianapolis’ No. 14 pick, because even clubs not named in Pauline’s report (like the Cowboys and their No. 12 selection) profile as legitimate destinations. Encouraged by Brock Bowers’ stunning rookie performance for the Raiders in 2024, clubs with immediate holes to fill at the TE spot could look to Warren as both a short- and long-term fix. The Colts coveted Bowers last season – he was nabbed by Las Vegas two picks before Indianapolis went on the clock – and they may not allow their preferred tight end prospect in 2025 to get away if he is still on the board.

In his final collegiate season, Warren – whose ability to get open underneath and create yards after the catch remind evaluators like Miller (subscription required) of Bowers – posted 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight scores. As a Wildcat threat, he added four rushing TDs and one passing TD for good measure.

Bears Eyeing CB Kyler Gordon Extension

April 5th, 2025 at 6:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kyler Gordon is among the extension candidates on Chicago’s roster, and a new deal was floated as a likely objective for the team earlier this offseason. The latest comments on that front from general manager Ryan Poles confirm that is the case.

“That will still be a priority,” Poles said of a Gordon extension (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “For me, in our exit meetings at the end of last season, I told all the guys in terms of future, if it was contracts, coming back… the important thing is I’ve got to get with our new coaching staff and kind of see how the different players fit based on the scheme. We’ve been able to have those conversations and I know Kyler is a guy that we want to be a part of this moving forward.

“So the timing of that, I’m not sure how that all is going work out, but that is a priority.”

A second-round pick in 2022, Gordon has established himself as a core member of Chicago’s secondary. He has made 34 starts to date, and another campaign of primarily operating in the slot can be expected for 2025. The 25-year-old could command a lucrative deal on the open market next offseason if he gets the opportunity, especially if he builds off his five career interceptions and 17 pass breakups.

Given Poles’ remarks, though, it is clear avoiding such as scenario is a goal for the Bears. Chicago made a major investment in fellow corner Jaylon Johnson last offseason, inking him to a four-year, $76MM extension after using the franchise tag. Adding considerably to the resources devoted to the secondary with a second Gordon contract would lead to challenges at other positions, of course, but especially with quarterback Caleb Williams on his rookie deal doing so would be feasible.

Tyrique Stevenson has started all but two games to date in his career, and he could again find himself as a first-team option next season. As Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes, though, Terell Smith could compete for that role this summer. Regardless of how that shakes out, adding further options at the position could be a goal during the draft, Biggs adds. Any moves for slot corners would be viewed as a depth addition, given Gordon’s presence on a defense which will be led by Dennis Allen moving forward.

The Washington product is slated to earn $1.89MM in 2025 as things stand. That figure could rise considerably in the form of a signing bonus should a long-term pact be worked out, something to watch for as the offseason unfolds.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/3/25

April 3rd, 2025 at 8:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Washington Commanders

  • Signed: DE T.J. Maguranyanga

Maguranyanga is the latest rugby player to join an NFL team as part of a bid to play football professionally. The 22-year-old is Zimbabwean and joins Washington via the International Player Pathway program. At 6-4 and 222 pounds, Maguranyanga will look to develop into a depth option along the edge, an area of need for the Commanders as the draft approaches.

Bears To Sign QB Case Keenum

April 3rd, 2025 at 5:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Add another team to Case Keenum‘s extensive NFL ledger. The journeyman backup will be called upon to help mentor another highly drafted young talent.

The Bears are signing Keenum to a one-year deal worth up to $3MM, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. Keenum is coming off a season-long absence in 2024, but he helped mentor C.J. Stroud the year prior. Although Keenum is in his late 30s and coming off an injury-driven absence, he will bring a more proven Chicago backup compared to the team’s 2024 plan.

This will be team No. 8 (and NFL city No. 9) for Keenum, who has stopped through Houston, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Denver, Washington, Cleveland and Buffalo. Not viewed as a starter since a short bridge stay in Washington, Keenum has maintained residence as a capable backup. He worked as the QB2 for Stroud, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield since his Washington one-and-done. Keenum, 37, joins a Bears team that had stationed Division II product Tyson Bagent as Caleb Williams‘ backup. He was also Justin Fields‘ top reserve in 2023.

Keenum’s career and value peak occurred during his Minnesota season. The former UDFA led the NFL in QB DVOA that season, guiding a Vikings team — one that lost Sam Bradford early — to a 13-3 season and a first-round bye. That campaign extended to the NFC championship game, thanks to Keenum and Stefon Diggs‘ Minneapolis Miracle connection, and catapulted Keenum onto the starter level. He received a two-year, $36MM Broncos deal in 2018, but Denver cut bait — amid a string of QB misses — after one season.

Keenum has since been traded twice (from Denver to Washington and Cleveland to Buffalo), and he drew trade interest before the 2023 deadline. The Texans opted to hang onto the older of their two backups, having given Keenum a two-year deal worth $6.25MM. Houston, however, needed to turn back to Davis Mills as Stroud’s top backup last year. Keenum sustained a foot injury in August, leading the Texans to place him on IR before setting their 53-man roster. That ensured the aging QB would miss the season, but he still attracted attention as a free agent.

For his career, Keenum has made 66 starts. Two of those came in Houston during the 2023 season. The first of which featured a 229-yard outing in a Texans overtime win over the Titans. The 13th-year vet has a 79:51 career TD-INT ratio and holds a 62.3% completion rate and a 6.8-yard average per pass. One season remains on Bagent’s rookie contract, though he can still be retained as an RFA in 2026, while two years are left on 2024 UDFA Austin Reed‘s. The younger two options may end up battling for the Bears’ QB3 gig, should Ben Johnson not make any additional moves at the position.

Draft Rumors: Visits, Green, Nolen, RBs

March 25th, 2025 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

As the 2025 NFL Draft continues to draw nigh, teams are beginning to do their due diligence on each prospect, including hosting several for visits.

A perfect example of this saw the Saints host a bevy of Longhorns for a dinner last night, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. The list of Texas prospects included possible first-rounders cornerback Jahdae Barron and wide receiver Matthew Golden as well as defensive tackle Vernon Broughton and quarterback Quinn Ewers.

The Saints weren’t the only team to spend time with Ewers yesterday, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Both the Jets and Raiders sent staffers to meet with the 22-year-old in Austin prior to the team’s pro day. Ewers has several visits planned following today’s pro day, as well, including meetings with the Cowboys, Colts, and Raiders, again, in early April.

Another potential Longhorn first-rounder, wide receiver Isaiah Bond, has also reportedly set up a number of visits following today’s pro day, per CJ Vogel of On Texas Football. Bond apparently has top-30 visits scheduled in the next month with the Falcons, Bears, Packers, and Rams.

Here are some more rumors concerning the 2025 NFL Draft:

  • East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. is making the rounds, as well. After previously meeting with New Orleans, Revel reportedly visited the Texans on Friday, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Revel is attempting to make a speedy recovery from a torn ACL that ended his final collegiate season after only three games. He’s reportedly on track to be ready to return in time for training camp.
  • One of Revel’s top competitors at the position in this year’s class, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, is set to meet with the Raiders, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Johnson has already met with the Falcons and reportedly met with the Cardinals already, as well.
  • Already having met with the Saints and Falcons, Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. is set to meet with several other franchises, per Wilson. One of the top tackle options in the class, Conerly has visits planned with the Texans, Eagles, Commanders, Bengals, and Bears. Wilson adds that, at the NFL Scouting Combine, Conerly already formerly met with the Texans, Jets, Titans, Patriots, Raiders, Commanders, and 49ers.
  • Marshall’s pro day garnered a few more visitors than usual today, thanks to the presence of potential first-round pass rusher Mike Green. According to Tony Pauline of sportskeeda, while several teams sent personnel to check Green out, the Falcons sent most of their front office as well as head coach Raheem Morris. Pauline adds that the Commanders also held a significant presence at the pass rusher’s pro day.
  • Due to the draft being more deep than top-heavy, there are several prospects who receive a wide range of opinions on when and where they’ll go in the draft. According to Matt Miller of ESPN, though, no player has a wider range than Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Transferring within the conference from Texas A&M for the final year of his collegiate career, Nolen had a strong, consensus All-American season with the Rebels, totaling 48 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss. Despite the impressive performance, Miller claims that “teams are torn on (Nolen’s) lack of refined pass-rush moves,” resulting in projections from the top 10 all the way back to the second round.
  • Last year was the second time in the three years that we saw no running backs taken in the first round of the draft. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, we could see two running backs hear their names called on Day 1 of the event this year. A running backs coach told Schultz that “there’s no way (Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty) falls outside the top 15-20 picks.” Jeanty has been projected in multiple mock drafts to both the Raiders at No. 6 overall and the Cowboys at No. 12. While the position is deep, with players like Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, Ohio State’s duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, Miami’s Damien Martinez, and several others, it’s North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton who may have played himself into the first round with Jeanty. Schultz claims that a personnel director told him the only thing Hampton needed to do in order to go in Round 1 was run in the 4.4’s at the combine, and Hampton ran a 4.46. He may not get taken as high as Jeanty, but he should still be considered a first-round candidate come the end of April.

Bears Sign CB Nick McCloud

March 24th, 2025 at 1:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

Nick McCloud has lined up his next NFL opportunity. The veteran corner has signed with the Bears, his agency announced on Monday.

McCloud made a pair of appearances with the Bengals during his rookie season, but most of his 48 career games have come with the Giants. The former UDFA was in New York from 2022 to the midway point of this past campaign, one in which he was waived. McCloud made five starts in 2024, but it was clear the Giants were interested in moving on after a request to take a pay cut to the veteran minimum was turned down.

No teams put in a claim, but it did not take McCloud long to find a new home. He signed with the 49ers to close out the season, one in which the team fell short of expectations and missed the playoffs. During his eight San Francisco contests, the 26-year-old played sparingly on defense and made more of an impact on special teams. That could prove to be the case in Chicago.

The Bears have Jaylon Johnson attached to a lucrative long-term deal, while Kyler Gordon has proven to be an effective slot corner. He too could soon have an extension in place soon, creating the need for inexpensive options elsewhere on the depth chart. Chicago has Tyrique Stevenson attached to his rookie deal for two more years, and after starting 14 games last season he can be expected to handle a heavy workload moving forward.

As a result, McCloud’s path to earning a roster spot during training camp will likely consist of carving out a backup role on defense in addition to his third phase contributions. The Notre Dame product has posted only one interception and 10 pass deflections in his career, but he has logged nearly 1,200 special teams snaps to date. He will look to use that experience with the Bears in 2025.

NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Kelly, Pack

March 20th, 2025 at 10:50am CST by Sam Robinson

Prior to the Bears agreeing to re-sign Travis Homer, they considered a veteran with ties to Ryan Poles and new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy. Chicago considered Kareem Hunt in free agency, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Poles and Bieniemy were with the Chiefs when they drafted Hunt in the 2017 third round, with the current Bears GM serving as Kansas City’s college scouting director at that point. Hunt won a rushing title as a rookie and was off to a better start in 2018, when a video of him kicking a woman led to his initial Kansas City ouster. The Chiefs circled back to Hunt six years later, after an Isiah Pacheco injury, and have since re-signed him. The Bears still have Homer and Roschon Johnson behind starter D’Andre Swift, who joins Jonah Jackson in reuniting with Ben Johnson.

Here is the latest from the NFC North:

  • On the subject of Jackson, he is set to play right guard next season, per the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. Jackson started four seasons at left guard in Detroit, but he will end up deferring to Joe Thuney, who landed as the All-Pro first team’s left guard in back-to-back seasons. The older of the Bears’ two guard trade pickups is in a contract year, Thuney gave no clues about a potential extension (via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin). Keeping with the reunion theme, Thuney signed with the Chiefs when Poles was still on Brett Veach‘s staff.
  • Losing durable veteran Kevin Zeitler to the Titans, the Lions appear in need at guard. Graham Glasgow remains, but the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett expects the team to add another starter-level option at the position. This could come in free agency or the draft. A few free agency options are available. Brandon Scherff, Dalton Risner, Cody Whitehair, Will Hernandez and Andrus Peat are among the top veteran options. Teven Jenkins is the leader in this clubhouse right now, and it will be interesting to see where the three-year Bears starter lands. Early in free agency, Jenkins had set a high price. Christian Mahogany, a 2024 sixth-round pick, looks to be in position to still compete for the job Zeitler held last season, Birkett adds.
  • The Vikings paid a high price for Will Fries but landed ex-Colts center Ryan Kelly on a mid-market deal. Kelly agreed to a two-year, $18MM contract that comes with $9.15MM guaranteed. No part of Kelly’s $7.89MM 2026 base salary is guaranteed, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes, giving Minnesota some flexibility on the soon-to-be 32-year-old center. The Vikings would carry no dead money if they cut Kelly next year. Elsewhere on Minnesota’s cap sheet, DB Tavierre Thomas‘ deal comes in at one year and $2MM, Wilson adds. The former Browns, Texans and Buccaneers defender commanded a $1MM guarantee.
  • Marcus Davenport‘s second shot at becoming a regular Lions contributor will include a pay cut. Reported as signing a deal worth up to $4.75MM, Davenport will be tied to $2.5MM in base value, via OverTheCap. Of that total, $1.65MM is guaranteed. The Lions are guaranteeing Davenport’s $1.35MM base salary, per Wilson, which would leave them with a near-$2MM dead money hit if they moved on. Davenport has missed 28 games over the past two seasons. Roy Lopez‘s “up to” report checked in at $4.75MM; the actual value of the Lions DT’s contract (via Wilson): $3.5MM.
  • The Lions also brought in former Bills tight end Quintin Morris on a free agency visit this week, FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes. Buffalo did not tender Morris as an RFA, passing on a $3.26MM price to retain its primary blocking tight end. The Lions matched a 49ers RFA offer sheet for Brock Wright last year; two years remain on Wright’s deal. Morris, 26, played 214 offensive snaps for the Bills last season.
  • Isaiah McDuffie‘s two-year, $8MM Packers pact does not bring any 2026 guarantees, though ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky indicates it carries a $750K roster bonus next year. Guaranteeing the 2024 linebacker starter $2.25MM, the Packers can move on for barely $1MM in dead money after the 2025 season.
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