DT Isaiah Buggs Seeking NFL Return
Last summer, Isaiah Buggs was released by the Chiefs while he faced criminal charges on multiple fronts. The veteran defensive tackle was out of the league in 2024 as a result, but with his legal situations now behind him a return to the NFL is being targeted. 
“The cruelty to dogs charges filed against Isaiah Buggs in May 2024 were dismissed with prejudice on motion of the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office,” a statement from Buggs’ lawyer reads in part (via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams). “In its motion to dismiss the dog cruelty charges, the state noted that it was presented with evidence from [the] defense that exonerated Mr. Buggs.
“This follows last month’s reduction of domestic violence and burglary charges against Mr. Buggs from June 2024 that was part of a plea agreement, whereby Mr. Buggs pled guilty to misdemeanor criminal trespass — a charge that more accurately reflects the nature of that incident.”
Buggs turned himself in to police in the wake of the misdemeanor animal cruelty charges he faced, but that was soon followed by his domestic violence arrest. Shortly after it became clear the 28-year-old was facing multiple legal issues, the Chiefs proceeded with a release. Buggs remained a free agent through the 2024 campaign without any resolutions coming on that front. Now that his off-the-field situation has changed, though, the former sixth-rounder has turned his attention to resuming his career.
A former rotational contributor with the Steelers, Buggs’ most productive campaign came in 2022 with the Lions. The Alabama product was extended on a two-year deal, but halfway through the pact he was cut by Detroit. Buggs landed on the Chiefs’ practice squad and signed a futures deal shortly thereafter. He was in position to compete for a roster spot last summer, but by the time training camp started he had been released. In the absence of any further legal proceedings, Buggs could receive an offer this offseason, likely after the upcoming draft takes place.
Bears LT Braxton Jones Expected To Be Limited In Training Camp
Braxton Jones missed the final two games of the 2024 campaign due to ankle surgery, a procedure which ensured a lengthy recovery timeline. The latest update on his recovery notes Chicago’s starting left tackle is making progress, but he is unlikely to be back to 100% in time for training camp. 
“I think he’s right on track,” new head coach Ben Johnson said of Jones (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “Will that mean he’s limited in training camp? I would say probably at this point, but I think the progress is right where it needs to be right now.”
Jones has made 40 starts during his three years in Chicago, and the former fifth-rounder is currently in position to handle first-team blindside duties once more in 2025. The coming campaign is a critical one for Jones, since it marks the final year of his rookie contract. A full season – something which the Southern Utah product has managed only once so far – would go a long way in determining his market value.
The Bears have prioritized upgrading along the interior of the O-line this offseason. Trades for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney provided the team with new starting guards, and center Drew Dalman received a lucrative deal in free agency. With right tackle Darnell Wright in position to continue as a starter for 2025, every spot up front is accounted for aside from left tackle. Jones’ ability to recover in full will be key as he looks to retain a starting gig ahead of other options, such as 2024 third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie.
Free agency in 2025 showed the willingness of teams to spend big at left tackle even for players with age/injury concerns or spotty track records of performance. Jones, 26, has drawn strong PFF evaluations for his pass protection in particular, with his best overall mark (77.4) coming in 2024. Continuing to develop could earn him a long-term stay in the Windy City, so his ability to return to full health this summer will be worth monitoring.
In other Bears health news, Johnson said he “believes” safety Jaquan Brisker has been cleared in full after his latest concussion. The three-year starter has been diagnosed with a concussion during each season of his NFL career, but Brisker himself noted he is healthy now. He added the total number of concussions he has suffered is not a concern and that he is “in a great spot” with respect to his brain health.
Just likes Jones, Brisker is on track to see his rookie deal expire next offseason. After playing just five games in 2024, a healthy slate will be a key target as he looks to remain an impactful starter in Chicago’s secondary. Avoiding further concussions would obviously go a long way toward that goal, and Brisker will enter camp in a good situation on that front.
Draft Trade Rumors: Edge, Bears, Vikings
We’ve seen lately that a litany of first-round options at edge rushing positions could lead to a run at the position in the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft. After Penn State’s Abdul Carter (projected at Nos. 2 or 3 overall), there isn’t expected to be another pass rusher taken until the mid-teens. If the Falcons open the floodgates, it could both trigger a run at the position and possibly spark some trade movement in the first round, according to sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline.
Pauline calls the Cardinals‘ pick at No. 16 overall a potential “flashpoint” where teams who are looking to add an impact edge rusher may trade up in order to jump the Bengals, who hold the No. 17 overall pick and have been linked to a pass rusher in the first round. He and ESPN’s Jordan Reid identify the Falcons‘ No. 15 overall pick as a more likely target to trade up to.
Pauline points out that Atlanta currently only owns five draft picks and would be more than happy to add more picks to their docket by trading down. Reid adds that, in a deep class of edge rushers, the Falcons “feel comfortable with several options” that they have similar grades on. If a team wants to jump Cincinnati for a pass rusher, proposing to trade with the Falcons may be the route to follow.
Here are a couple other trade rumors that could come to play in next week’s draft:
- Reid also seems to be under the impression that we will see a team trade into the top 10, specifically into No. 10 overall, a pick currently owned by the Bears. Reid asserts that, should the Saints throw a curveball from recent rumors and not draft a quarterback at No. 9 overall, several teams may jump to move up as a result. He sees teams potentially moving up for a top tight end or potentially a pass rusher, though the deep pass rushing class narrative seems to conflict with that sentiment. Without the New Orleans curveball, though, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune believes that a lack of interest in the No. 10 overall pick would make a trade back in the second round more likely than the first for the Bears.
- We’ve seen this several places, but ESPN’s Matt Miller pointed out a bit of the obvious recently, identifying the Vikings as a team likely to seek a trade back in the first round of the draft. The reason this seems so obvious is because, with only four draft picks, Minnesota owns the fewest selections of any team in the draft. The Vikings may attempt to increase their draft capital with a trade back if they can find an interested party.
OL Draft Notes: Campbell, Jackson, Membou
In our recent 2025 NFL Mock Draft, we projected that LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell would be selected by the Patriots at No. 4 overall, and we don’t appear to be alone in that projection. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe recently asserted that “all roads lead to” New England for Campbell.
Volin quoted Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network who recently told him, “I’ve just continually heard that offensive tackle was going to be addressed, and I’ve continually heard that that’s Will Campbell’s spot.”
The top three picks of the 2025 NFL Draft consistently reflect that Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Colorado athlete Travis Hunter, and Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter will be the first three off the board. This leaves the Patriots with every other option on the board with the fourth overall pick, and while no pick seems as obvious as the first three, all signs seem to be pointing to Campbell.
Here are a few other draft rumors concerning offensive linemen in the upcoming draft:
- Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson hasn’t garnered as much attention from the media in the pre-draft process as his bookend teammate Josh Simmons, who has earned some projections as a potential first-rounder, but he’s still getting plenty of attention from the NFL. After shifting out from his usual left guard spot to left tackle part-way through his senior season in Columbus, Jackson has garnered some second-round projections of his own. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Jackson visited his hometown’s local team, the Texans, this week. Wilson adds that Jackson has also visited the Giants, Eagles, Vikings, and Raiders in the past few weeks.
- Many of the draft’s top tackle prospects have been projected more favorably as guards at the NFL level. Several teams have overlooked the limitations of these prospects as they search for tackle help. Missouri lineman Armand Membou continues to hear position questions in the runup to the draft. Per Volin, Membou’s trainer, Duke Mayweather of OL Masterminds, has claimed that Membou is much more likely to flourish at right tackle and that he wouldn’t try to switch him to left tackle. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune took things a step further, saying that, while he agrees Membou will fit first at right tackle, he thinks Membou is more likely to end up playing guard than left tackle in the NFL.
Georgia Defenders Making Early First-Round Connections
The University of Georgia has been a pipeline for first-round defensive talent in the past several years. Since 2016, 11 Bulldogs have been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, including in 2022 when No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker was joined by four other defensive teammates in the first round. This year Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, and Malaki Starks have been noted as potential first-rounders coming out of Athens, and as potential edge defenders, Walker and Williams are likely to hear their names called in the first half of Day 1. 
As they continue to draw interest from multiple teams in the top 16, two teams seem to be zoning in on the teammates; the Panthers have been repeatedly linked to Walker, while the Falcons are heavily monitoring Williams. In fact, in the last day of pre-draft visits earlier this week, Williams spent his time in the Falcons’ building, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Atlanta has been repeatedly linked to the possibility of drafting a defensive player in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and, needing help on the edge, Williams and his mid-first-round projection make a lot of sense.
It was also announced, by ESPN’s Jordan Reid, that Walker and Williams would be holding a private workout for NFL scouts and executives this past Friday at Georgia’s indoor facility. Each player only participated in position drills throughout the workout, which is notable because Walker only measured at the NFL Scouting Combine and Georgia’s pro day, not doing any timing or testing. Williams, likewise, only measured at the combine, but did run and time at the Bulldogs’ pro day.
The Falcons maintained their link to Williams, sending both assistant general manager Kyle Smith and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to Athens for the players’ workout yesterday, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic. The Panthers, on the other hand, were not in attendance as, according to Joe Person of The Athletic, they remained in draft meetings and “seem to have seen all they need to from the Georgia linebacker.”
Based on rumors and fit, we recently projected Walker to Carolina and Williams to Atlanta in our 2025 NFL Mock Draft. We’re just five days away from finding out just how serious each team’s interest is in the respective defensive prospects.
CB Will Johnson’s Draft Stock Falling
Entering the 2024 college football season as a likely top five draft pick, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson only needed to show NFL scouts what they had seen for the first two years of his collegiate career in order to solidify that status. Unfortunately, an up-and-down junior campaign could cost Johnson money as he seems to be sliding down draft boards. 
Analytically, Johnson played well at times but didn’t nearly display the dominance that he had in his first two years in Ann Arbor. As a freshman for the Wolverines, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Johnson out as the 12th-best cornerback in the NCAA out of 917 graded players at the position. He followed that up with a 114th-best ranking (out of 859) in 2023 before falling to 139th out of 848 in this year.
You can see similarities reflected in his on-field contributions, as well. As a true freshman, Johnson played in all 14 of the team’s games, making five starts. In his time on the field, though, Johnson was extremely disruptive with three interceptions, six passes defensed, and two tackles for loss. During the team’s championship campaign in 2023, Johnson missed a couple of games with injury but still started 11 of 12 games played. He increased his pass defense numbers with four interceptions and eight passes defended and even won the Defensive MVP award in the National Championship Game.
Despite only playing six games in 2024 due to injury, Johnson stayed on track with two interceptions and five passes defensed. After a shoulder contusion forced him to miss some time early in the season, Johnson saw a turf toe injury sideline him for the back half of the season.
The turf toe injury lingered into the offseason and pre-draft process. The ailment held him out of workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine, though he did attend for interviews and measurements. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Johnson held a private workout for scouts in Ann Arbor in early-April after missing Michigan’s pro day because of the injury. Todd McShay of The Ringer, though, adds that Johnson did not run a 40-yard dash in the private workout.
As a result of these injury issues and the up-and-down play as a junior, Johnson appears to be falling down draft boards. Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald indicated that Johnson is likely to fall out of the top 10 draft picks and may not be the first cornerback off the board. This prediction doesn’t include Colorado’s Travis Hunter, an obvious prospect being ranked over Johnson, but instead asserts that Texas’ Jahdae Barron will be picked before Johnson.
Regardless, all Johnson can do at this point is keep his head down and keep working. He seems to be healing, but each team will do their own research into his medicals as they continue to evaluate their options. Most recently, Johnson visited the Seahawks earlier this week, per Rapoport. At the moment, he’s still considered a likely Day 1 pick, but if he keeps trending down, he could be in danger of falling out of the first round altogether.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.
Raiders Expected To Select RB Ashton Jeanty At No. 6
Ashton Jeanty has long been connected to the Raiders, and that remains the case as the countdown to the draft continues. It would come as no surprise if the Boise State back wound up beginning his career in Vegas. 
[RELATED: Raiders Add Jeanty In PFR’s Mock Draft]
Many around the league are of the view the Raiders have “fallen in love” with Jeanty during the pre-draft process, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones writes. Vegas is among the teams which have hosted the Heisman runner-up, a sign of interest on the part of Pete Carroll, John Spytek and Co. One AFC executive went as far as telling Jones it is a “foregone conclusion” the Raiders will select Jeanty sixth overall.
Replacing Josh Jacobs proved to be a challenge for Vegas last season. Zamir White – added during the fourth round of the 2022 draft – flashed potential as a starter late in Jacobs’ final Raiders campaign. That was not repeated in 2024, however, as White averaged only 2.8 yards per carry when on the field. He was limited to eight games last season, and a depth role should be in store for 2025, the final year of his rookie pact.
Vegas saw veteran Alexander Mattison depart in free agency, while the team brought in Raheem Mostert. The latter was released by the Dolphins in a move which did not come as much of a surprise. Mostert, 33, handled over 200 carries in 2023 but that figure plummeted to 85 last year. Expectations will be tempered after he signed a one-year deal worth just $1.6MM to join the Raiders.
Jeanty’s production and rushing efficiency improved during each of his three seasons at Boise State, and he amassed 2,739 scrimmage yards to go along with 30 total touchdowns in 2024. The junior handled 750 carries in college, so questions related to his mileage will no doubt be raised. Nevertheless, Jeanty has long been regarded as the top option in a very strong 2025 RB class.
The Cowboys – set to pick 12th overall – have also hosted Jeanty on a pre-draft visit, with the same being true of the Bears (who own pick No. 10). Chicago is seen as being high on the All-American, but it remains to be seen if selecting him will be possible. If the Raiders follow through with their expected decision, the Bears and all other RB-needy teams will turn their attention elsewhere during the draft.
Giants Preparing For QB Move After No. 3; Brian Daboll High On Jaxson Dart
Since the signings of Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson in free agency, the possibility of the Giants waiting until after the No. 3 pick to add a quarterback has gained steam. Signs continue to point in that direction with less than one week remaining until the opening round. 
New York’s final days of pre-draft visits has included work with a number of quarterback prospects, but taking any not named Cam Ward (long regarded as a lock to go No. 1) would be seen by many as a reach. Turning aside interest for the third overall selection would leave the Giants in position to select whichever member of the Travis Hunter-Abdul Carter pair remains after the Browns make their pick. Carter heads to New York in PFR’s first-round mock.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes the Giants appear to have a clear plan in place across the organization with respect to addressing the quarterback spot. That effort is unlikely to include the third overall pick, something corroborated by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. The latter notes taking a signal-caller at the top of the second round (New York owns pick No. 34) or trading up into the late Day 1 order remains on the table.
A scenario in which the Giants draft Hunter and then pull off a trade-up maneuver to add his former Colorado teammate Shedeur Sanders has been floated as a possibility. Sanders’ stock appears to be falling compared to other second-tier quarterbacks, something which could make it easier for an interested team to acquire him outside of the top 10. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has emerged as a Sanders supporter, though, meaning the No. 21 slot could represent his floor.
Regardless of how Sanders’ draft process plays out, Jaxson Dart is a name to watch with respect to the Giants. Head coach Brian Daboll is a fan of the Ole Miss product, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. Dart has frequently been mentioned as a potential first-rounder and a candidate to be the second QB to hear his name called. Schultz adds to the expectation Dart will come off the board during the draft’s opening night, a scenario which would require general manager Joe Schoen to make a move up from 34.
Questions loom about both Daboll and Schoen regarding their job security, and drafting a passer capable of operating as a long-term starter represents an obvious target entering a key 2025 campaign. Playing time will not be immediately available for a rookie added next week if things go to plan with the team’s veterans, but the pursuit of one of the class’ top options would come as no surprise.
Seahawks Open To Trading QB Sam Howell
Just over a year ago, the Seahawks were the winners of the Sam Howell-sweepstakes, acquiring the former Commanders starter, a fourth-, and sixth-round pick while sending Washington a third- and fifth-rounder. After backup passer Drew Lock signed a deal to go to New York for 2024, Howell was Seattle’s answer to fill the vacant role. With Lock back in Seattle to back up Sam Darnold, Howell has potentially become expendable, once again. 
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Brady Henderson, Seattle is open to trading Howell and has received some inquiries from teams interested in acquiring him. General manager John Schneider claimed that the team is prepared to have Lock and Howell compete for the QB2 job behind Darnold, but if they know Lock has familiarity with the roster, it could be smart to pursue some additional draft capital in exchange for Howell.
Howell was brought in after his first and only full season starting in Washington. The Commanders went 4-13 with Howell as a starter and, while he threw for 21 touchdowns, he failed to amass 4,000 passing yards despite leading the NFL in pass attempts. He also had league-leading numbers in interceptions (21) and sacks (65). After arriving in Seattle, Howell had a rough offseason. When he was asked to step in for an injured Smith in a Week 15 loss to the Packers, Howell had a rough outing only completing five of 14 pass attempts for 24 yards and an interception.
Schneider backed Howell recently, claiming the young quarterback “was put in a very hard spot” and that the team has “four guys that (they) really like.” That could be totally true, and they may be completely willing to head into the offseason with four quarterbacks. Those statements could also be Schneider’s attempts to inflate Howell’s trade value a bit, making him appear less expendable than he is.
The Seahawks already have 10 draft picks (eight in the first five rounds), so they may not exactly need any more draft capital. Still, if they were able to package Howell with some picks, they may be able to move around a bit in this year’s draft with some increased maneuverability.
Eagles Could Accept 2026 Draft Compensation In Dallas Goedert Trade?
Mark Andrews is among the veterans worth monitoring as the draft approaches. Fellow tight end Dallas Goedert also finds himself on the market, and a trade being worked out over the next few days is thus a possibility to watch for. 
The 30-year-old is attached to an expiring contract and is currently set to carry a cap hit of $11.76MM in 2025. A pay cut may very well be needed for Goedert to remain in Philadelphia; failing that, trade talk leading up to the draft will no doubt pick up. Teams often seek compensation for the immediate future when dealing away veterans to replace them as quickly as possible, but that may not be the case in this instance.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports the Eagles are viewed by Goedert suitors as being willing to accept “future” draft picks if a deal involving 2025 capital cannot be worked out. Time still remains for a swap to take place before the start of next week’s draft, one which features a highly-regarded group of tight end prospects. If that does not take place, however, the possibility of a Goedert trade will remain if general manager Howie Roseman is willing to take 2026 picks as compensation.
Goedert has spent his entire seven-year career in Philadelphia, and since the Eagles’ decision to move on from Zach Ertz he has been a key contributor in the passing game. The former second-rounder was limited to games in 2024 and as a result his 496 yards and two touchdowns marked a step back from his previous production. A rebound would be welcomed in an Eagles offense which will again have A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley leading the way, although parting ways with Goedert would leave the team in need of a new option atop the tight end depth chart.
Any number of rookies from the 2025 class would be expected to handle a notable role upon arrival in Philadelphia in the event Goedert were to be dealt. If a deal were to take place after the draft, though, adding a veteran would come into play as Philadelphia prepared for adding a long-term successor next spring.