Giants-Jaxson Dart Pairing Gaining Steam; Team Split On Shedeur Sanders?
Nearing the finish line of a second straight quarterback research project ahead of a draft, the Giants have covered their bases on Shedeur Sanders. Although they are not expected to draft the second-generation NFL prospect at No. 3 overall, rumors indicating a trade-up move to acquire him are still circulating.
The Giants spoke with Sanders at the Combine, hosted him on a “30” visit, dined with him before Colorado’s pro day and worked him out in Boulder last week. Darius Slayton‘s sister, Maleika, also serves as Colorado’s director of on-campus recruiting. Describing Joe Schoen‘s thorough examination of Sanders, one GM informed ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter the fourth-year GM “has lived in Boulder.” Still, Sanders’ stock has undeniably fallen since last season, when Giants connections first emerged.
[RELATED: Giants, Browns Discussing Trade-Down Scenarios]
Sanders-Giants hype has “cooled dramatically” since December, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes, who indicates Jaxson Dart buzz is building. The Ole Miss product came up as a player Brian Daboll liked, and Hughes calls Dart a name to watch regarding a trade-up move. Dart has been tied to the Saints and Steelers as well, as the three teams join the Browns as clubs interested in the second wave of QBs in this draft — though, perhaps not with a high pick in the round.
A trade-up derby of sorts is shaping up after the Titans’ Cam Ward pick (one almost certain to begin the draft). Sanders does not seem out of the question to be a Giants target after they make a pick at No. 3 overall (presumably Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter), but Schefter adds a belief within the league points to some in the Giants’ organization are higher on Sanders than others. A recent report also pegged the Daboll-Schoen relationship becoming increasingly tense — as their seats warm — though Daboll, as could be expected, said (via the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz) he and his former Bills coworker are aligned.
After Dave Gettleman pick Daniel Jones‘ extended runway to prove a worthy Eli Manning successor did not produce a smooth takeoff, Schoen and Daboll may have just one more offseason to identify their own QB. John Mara said in January his patience has almost run out with the state of the team, raising the stakes for this draft. While Schoen has said the signings of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston give the team flexibility, not leaving this draft with a long-term option will make for a difficult sell.
The prospect of Sanders falling out of the first round should not be ruled out, per SI.com’s Albert Breer. As our Ely Allen noted in his prospect evaluation of the two-year Buffaloes starter, rumblings about the QB’s attitude turning teams off emerged during the pre-draft process. The Giants may have been one of them, as Breer describes the team as having gone through ups and downs with the passer during its lengthy evaluation.
While Sanders’ attitude may have alienated some during the earlier stages of this process, Breer adds the polarizing prospect is believed to have displayed more modesty recently. With his stock no longer approaching that of Ward, it would understandable if Sanders’ tune has changed as teams determine whether a player whose on-field traits have not proved captivating can be a long-term centerpiece.
Sanders falling out of the top 10 appears more likely, as a recent Breer offering indicated an owner may need to become involved for a team to pull the trigger in Round 1. While not viewing that assessment as gospel, Breer still can envision a Sanders fall. This could put the Steelers to a decision at No. 21, but with a report Mike Tomlin likes the QB surfacing, clubs have a range to target when preparing a trade-up maneuver. Sanders’ landing spot has probably become the most interesting storyline leading up to the draft.
Poll: How Many First-Round QBs Will Be Drafted?
Cam Ward has long cemented himself as the top quarterback prospect in the eyes of almost all evaluators for the 2025 draft. As a result, he is in position to be selected first overall by the Titans. 
Tennessee received interest in the top pick, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms the team is not prepared to trade down. As such, Ward remains on track to take over QB1 duties with the Titans as one of the passers added on the opening night of the draft. Whether or not he will be joined by other prospects at the position on Day 1 remains to be seen.
The 2025 QB class is known to lack in surefire prospects compared to previous years, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports at least one team has not assigned a first-round grade to any of this year’s passers. In spite of that, Ward is expected to come off the board first, and several other teams will have the opportunity to select a signal-caller. The Browns and Giants could very well use the second and third picks on Travis Hunter and Addul Carter and turn their attention to drafting a quarterback at the top of the second round. Trading back into the first-round order could also be in play, though, and a move on that front would be aimed at landing a long-term answer under center.
In addition to Cleveland and New York, New Orleans and Pittsburgh have been named as potential landing spots for a Day 1 passer. The Saints’ immediate situation at the position is uncertain due to Derek Carr‘s injury status, but using the No. 9 pick on a replacement is not expected. Instead, the team could use the second round to target an addition. The Saints have made calls about moving up early on the second day of the draft.
Many teams are likelier to prioritize moving down the order rather than up given the nature of this year’s draft class. The Steelers are believed to be among them, but the 21st selection could provide them with the chance to select a quarterback. Shedeur Sanders – who has a fan in the form of Mike Tomlin – could still be on the board when Pittsburgh is on the clock, a situation the team did not originally anticipate. Even if Aaron Rodgers winds up signing with the Steelers, a long-term investment would come as no surprise.
Jaxson Dart has been mentioned as a candidate to be selected in the first round for quite some time, and the Steelers are among the teams which view the Ole Miss product as a Day 1 prospect. The Saints, meanwhile, have done extensive homework on Dart as well, and Giants head coach Brian Daboll is known to be high on him. The prospect of Dart being selected before Sanders has been raised on multiple occasions, and such a scenario could easily result in three QBs coming off the board Thursday.
A fourth signal-caller being drafted is not expected as things stand. With that said, multiple general managers and 
coaches informed Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post it would not be a shock if that were to take place. Alabama’s Jalen Milroe or Louisville’s Tyler Shough would be names to watch in that scenario. Despite his age, the latter is seen by more than one team as the top prospect at the position, and his stock has improved over the pre-draft process. Especially if one or more suitors pursued a move at the back of the first round, they could find themselves jockeying for position to add a passer.
With the countdown to the draft nearly over, how do you see things playing out? Will Ward have company as a Day 1 quarterback, or will the next tier of signal-callers experience a slide down the board? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and have your say in the comments section.
How many quarterbacks will be drafted in the first round?
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Three 58% (1,863)
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Two 25% (806)
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Four or more 12% (379)
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One 5% (170)
Total votes: 3,218
Recent EDGE Extensions Affected Micah Parsons’ Price Point; DE Prepared To Stage Hold-In?
Although Micah Parsons may have surprised some by reporting for the start of the Cowboys’ offseason program, do not expect the star defensive end to be a participant anytime soon. Unless the Cowboys break from their recent extension timetable, that is.
Parsons has been clear in his desire for a Cowboys extension by training camp. Absent one, he is not expected to step on the field for workouts. Parsons said Tuesday he would still be attending Cowboys activities, as the team is transitioning at defensive coordinator (hiring Matt Eberflus). But he expressed doubt (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) about participating in on-field workouts without a new contract.
Players skipping minicamp has become a common offseason tactic amid negotiations, but it does not sound like Parsons will partake in such an effort. Hold-ins, however, are even more common during a CBA that makes training camp holdouts difficult to wage. Zack Martin succeeded in his holdout, seeing the Cowboys turn his final two seasons from nonguaranteed to fully guaranteed, but Parsons appears to be planning to hold in while he learns Eberflus’ system at the team’s facility.
Of the two contract-related shutdown moves in play for Parsons, this is the preferable route for the team. But the Cowboys will see their recent extension timeline tested. Dallas completed its CeeDee Lamb re-up August 26 while taking the extraordinarily rare step of waiting until hours before Week 1 to hammer out its higher-profile deal (Dak Prescott‘s market-resetting pact). Parsons is not exactly eager to follow in his teammates’ footsteps here.
“It’s extremely important,” Parsons said (via ESPN.com’s Todd Archer) of a deal being done by camp. “You really see a lot of players struggle when guys aren’t participating in camp and they get off to slow starts. I want to hit the ground running.”
The Cowboys are still not making progress with Parsons, who has been connected to a defender-record-setting ask. The team appears ready to make Parsons the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB, but is in unclear by how much. While it is still early, Dallas has seen its top player’s price point change.
Parsons said last summer he saw the benefit in waiting for his extension — as opposed to joining other 2021 first-rounders in landing one last year — but noted in December he did not necessarily need a $40MM-per-year deal. That stance certainly appears to have changed, thanks to where Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett have taken the market. Garrett became the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback in March, scoring a $40MM-per-year extension to back off his Browns trade request. Ja’Marr Chase since followed with a $40.25MM-AAV Bengals extension.
“You look at the market and see Maxx gets 35 1/2, 36 [AAV] and then you see guys that are older than you [be paid],” Parsons said (via Machota). “You can say that your production and versatility matches what they’re doing. … I would say I’m more in my prime than a lot of these other guys; they’re more in the second half of their careers.”
Parsons is not wrong. Garrett will turn 30 this year, while Crosby is going into his age-28 season. Also on the extension radar, T.J. Watt will play an age-31 season in 2025. Trey Hendrickson will as well. Set to turn 26 next month, Parsons will have a clear case to secure a better deal than what the Browns gave Garrett, which also included a defender-record $88.8MM guaranteed at signing. The Cowboys having the league’s highest-paid player and third-highest-paid receiver provides a complication for their top 2025 extension candidate, and the team would have a 2026 franchise tag at its disposal if negotiations do not pick up.
The Prescott talks, though, show the danger that route can bring. Prescott upped his price by waiting, holding off on signing an extension in 2019, leading to a 2020 tag. He then scored player-friendly terms in 2021, helping set up his 2024 $60MM-per-year windfall. Parsons certainly represents a cornerstone piece for the Cowboys, who would stand to see his price keep rising if they wait until Watt, Hendrickson and perhaps Aidan Hutchinson — who is a year younger than Parsons — agree to deals this year.
Bears Aiming To Extend G Joe Thuney
The most accomplished piece included in the Bears’ March interior O-line overhaul, Joe Thuney is going into a contract year. The Chiefs effectively chose Trey Smith over Thuney, breaking up a four-year guard tandem as the former required a franchise tag to be retained.
That became the Bears’ gain, as they obtained Thuney for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Thuney will start alongside big-ticket center signee Drew Dalman and ex-Ben Johnson Lions pupil Jonah Jackson. Although Thuney is much older than both, Ryan Poles said (via Scott Bair of the Marquee Sports Network).
[RELATED: Bears Eyeing Ashton Jeanty At No. 10]
Thuney, 32, is in the final season of a five-year, $80MM deal. The Chiefs authorized a then-guard-record AAV to add him from the Patriots a month after the Buccaneers hounded Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LV. A month after the Eagles’ swarming pass rush reminded of that outing, Thuney will return to guard — after being a fill-in left tackle due to the Chiefs’ issues staffing that position — but do so with a new team.
The 10th-year veteran’s new team is building around a rookie contract at quarterback, providing more flexibility for payments elsewhere. Its March moves reflected that, as Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett joined the O-linemen. Poles has since extended Kyler Gordon and T.J. Edwards. He did not offer a timeline for a Thuney deal, only confirming it was a priority. While Jackson is not an extension candidate, after having disappointed on his three-year Rams deal, it does not appear the Bears are viewing Thuney as a Keenan Allen-like rental.
Despite struggling against Philly edge rushers in Super Bowl LIX, Thuney has been one of the NFL’s best guards over the past several years. The Patriots franchise-tagged him after a second-team All-Pro season; he resurfaced with a second-team honor in 2022. The former third-round pick proceeded to land on back-to-back All-Pro first teams (2023-24) with the Chiefs, affirming extension candidacy. The Chiefs already paid Creed Humphrey and are stuck with the Jawaan Taylor contact, thanks to a player-friendly guarantee structure, for one more season. Smith is tied to the tag, with post-draft extension talks on tap, and the Chiefs just gave Jaylon Moore a two-year, $30MM deal. They will now opt to save money at left guard.
The Bears’ last notable guard expense — the three-year, $30MM Nate Davis contract — went bust, but they have a proven commodity in Thuney, who arrived in Kansas City during Poles’ final year as the team’s executive player personnel director. He will bring an interesting extension case, due to his age.
The four-player $20MM-AAV guard club consists of 20-somethings, though a few less proven guards (Jackson included) agreed to deals between $16-$20MM per year since Thuney’s March 2021 Chiefs signing. With the cap having climbed significantly since Thuney agreed to his deal (amid the COVID-19-induced cap reduction), a medium-term extension in that range makes sense as a target for the veteran blocker’s camp.
AFC East Notes: Patriots, Bills, Banks
Consistently given Will Campbell in mock drafts (including ours), the Patriots may not be locked into the left tackle the way the Titans are with Cam Ward at No. 1. Eleventh-hour Pats connections to Georgia hybrid defender Jalon Walker are emerging, via Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline. Mike Vrabel has mentioned left tackle as a place the draft can provide an answer, and Pats-Campbell ties have persisted during the pre-draft process. Several reports have suggested the LSU product will be the Patriot pick. Walker recently auditioned for scouts, and Pauline adds the Pats sent a sizable contingent to a workout that also featured Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams. Pats brass soon dined with Walker, Pauline adds.
Showing the ability to be an edge defender and off-ball linebacker, Walker is expected to go off the board early. The Pats, who inquired about Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby this offseason, came up previously in connection to passing on Campbell to draft a pass rusher. With Abdul Carter likely going to Cleveland or New York, New England would be shut out from this draft’s top prospect tier at 4. Campbell should probably still be considered the favorite to go fourth overall, but it is not a lock.
Here is the latest from the AFC East:
- Also viewing Campbell as the Pats’ most likely pick, SI.com’s Albert Breer mentions Walker as a wild card. But the veteran reporter also points to a New England desire to accumulate more draft capital — even if it is unable to move off No. 4 (in a draft without a QB prompting aggressive trade-up offers like last year’s brought for the Pats). Kayshon Boutte, months after voicing frustration with his role, could be a player the team would consider moving to acquire an extra pick. Two years remain on the 2023 sixth-round receiver’s rookie contract.
- Having seen four teammates (Khalil Shakir, Gregory Rousseau, Terrel Bernard, Christian Benford) receive early-offseason extension, James Cook is not joining his teammates for the start of the Bills‘ offseason program, Brandon Beane confirmed (via The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia) Tuesday. Cook skipping voluntary work is not surprising; he has been upfront about his desire for an upper-crust extension this offseason. The Bills have viewed the breakout RB as a core player, but it remains to be seen if they will give the multipurpose back a deal in the $15MM-AAV range. Early talks have not brought progress. One season remains on Cook’s contract. While the Bills did pay former Day 2 picks Devin Singletary or Zack Moss, Cook has been a better player and is one of this year’s top extension candidates.
- Extending Bernard and keeping Matt Milano via a pay-cut agreement, the Bills are in decent shape at linebacker. They are still being mentioned (via Schefter) as a team that could use a premium draft pick on the position. Holding the No. 30 overall choice, Buffalo is being tied to UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger. Milano having missed the bulk of the past two seasons does give Buffalo a bit of a need here, but the team has been more closely tied to other defensive positions in Round 1.
- Another injury-prone player who once earned All-Pro acclaim in Buffalo, Tre’Davious White is back. Discarded in 2024, White spent the season with the Rams and Ravens. Although White has seen the injury trouble move him off the surefire starter tier, he has another chance in Buffalo. He said (via ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg) following the Ravens’ divisional-round loss to the Bills that he began letting the team know he was interested in returning. At 30, White now profiles as a flier for a Bills team likely still looking for CB help.
- The Dolphins have done plenty of D-tackle work leading up to this draft, but ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter also links Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. to Miami at No. 13. Banks’ stock looks to have climbed late, as he has been tied to going as high as the Raiders at No. 6 or the Jets at 7. Miami has Patrick Paul prepared to replace Terron Armstead, as Austin Jackson remains at RT.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/22/25
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: OL Michael Niese
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: OL Trevor Reid
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed second-round RFA tender: RB Jaylen Warren
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed ERFA tender: DL Evan Anderson, DL Alex Barrett, LB Jalen Graham, TE Brayden Willis
The Steelers let Najee Harris walk in free agency, passing on re-signing their four-year starting RB despite the Chargers only giving him a one-year, $5.25MM deal. That base value is nearly identical to Warren’s 2025 compensation, set for $5.35MM by virtue of being tendered at the second-round level.
A former UDFA, Warren has served as Harris’ flashier sidekick for three seasons. The former Utah State and Oklahoma State back has proven a find, making key contributions off the bench while on a UDFA deal. Warren, 26, totaled 1,154 scrimmage yards in 2023 and 821 (in 15 games) last year. He will be set to team with Kenneth Gainwell, who is also on a one-year agreement. Pittsburgh has since been linked to adding a starter-level RB in the draft.
Draft Rumors: Graham, Jaguars, Raiders, OL, Cardinals, Lions, Grant, Dolphins, Panthers
The trendy Jaguars pick in mocks for weeks, Mason Graham may not be Duval County-bound after all. The Jaguars ranked 31st defensively last season (25th against the run), but they might be viewing No. 5 overall as too steep for the Michigan D-tackle prospect. Indeed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated during a TV appearance (h/t Action News Jacksonville’s Daniel Griffis) he does not expect Graham to be the Jags’ pick. The Michigan alum-turned-omnipresent news breaker making this prediction certainly carries weight, especially after reports of Ashton Jeanty being in play for Jacksonville (and Travis Etienne becoming a trade chip) surfaced to start draft week. Liam Coen also is believed to be high on this wide receiver class, Schefter adds, making a Tetairoa McMillan–Mike Evans connection re: the one-and-done Buccaneers OC. The Jags did plenty of retooling at the position this offseason, which would stand to keep them in play for an early-round WR — in a class most do not hold in high regard — to complement Brian Thomas Jr.
Graham likely would not fall too far, especially with teams not exactly clamoring to move into the top 10 for one of this draft’s non-Cam Ward QB options. Here is the latest from the draft:
- If the Raiders‘ Jeanty aspirations do not come to fruition, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes that an O-line move would likely be in play. Missouri’s Armand Membou and Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. could be in play, per Breer, especially with seven-year left tackle Kolton Miller pursuing a new contract. (The Raiders hosted Banks on a “30” visit recently.) Even if Miller has a case for a raise, he was drafted a few regimes ago — even before Mike Mayock joined Jon Gruden — and could be a candidate to be replaced if the Raiders’ new power structure is displeased with his tactics. The Raiders used 2024 third-rounder DJ Glaze as their primary RT in 2024.
- The Cardinals will also be a team to watch for an early O-line investment. They are believed to be focusing on adding a guard, ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss notes. The team re-signed left guard starter Evan Brown to a modest deal (two years, $11.5MM) but have a question at RG. Although Brown re-signing gives Arizona four returning O-line starters, the team may view the NFC nomad as a stopgap. That view would leave two guard holes to fill, though the Cards did use a third-round pick on a guard (Isaiah Adams) last year. More help appears to be desired, though.
- Linked to bolstering their defense at No. 8 overall, the Panthers also are interested in acquiring more picks. They appear willing to use their top choice to do so, and Breer said during a radio interview (via Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan) the team would be willing to take a lesser offer for No. 8 to obtain more picks. The Panthers traded a second-round pick to the Bears (the last asset to be exchanged in the Bryce Young swap) but did pick up one from the Rams (in the Braden Fiske exchange) last year. Carolina also holds two fourth-round picks, the second coming from Dallas for Jonathan Mingo.
- Graham college teammate Kenneth Grant is come up as a potential Florida-bound prospect, with Breer adding the stout D-tackle is believed to be drawing extensive interest from a Dolphins team doing a lot of DT work. Miami lost Christian Wilkins last year and did not spend much to replace him then or during this free agency period. Although cornerback is certainly a position of need in Miami — if/once the team trades Jalen Ramsey — the D-line appears a place to monitor in Round 1.
- Despite rostering D.J. Reader and extending Alim McNeill, the Lions look to join the Dolphins in seeking interior D-line aid. Reader, though, will turn 31 in July while McNeill is coming off an ACL tear. Levi Onwuzurike also signed a one-year deal in March. Although the Lions still need an Aidan Hutchinson wingman, Breer hears more about their interesting in bolstering their D-line via a deep class.
Jets Could Target Jahdae Barron, Tyler Warren, Armand Membou At No. 7
Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron has steadily moved up draft boards over the last few months and could be selected in the first 10 picks on Thursday night, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Barron has long been expected to be a first-round pick, but he’s never reached consensus top-10 status. However, he is “in position to go higher than some realize,” according to Schefter, who specifically named the Jets at No. 7 as a potential landing spot. New head coach (and former longtime NFL cornerback) Aaron Glenn may target the versatile defensive back to form an exciting cornerback duo with Sauce Gardner.
After leaks and drama plagued the Robert Saleh–Joe Douglas regime, Glenn has cut down on the information coming out of the organization, making their plans for their first-round pick a mystery. They invited a number of prospective top-10 picks for official visits, including Michigan DT Mason Graham and Georgia edge rusher Mykel Willams.
However, the Jets’ primary target has long been thought to be Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, who “recently and quietly” visited the team, according to Schefter. Warren is widely considered the best tight end in the 2025 draft class, a sentiment shared by some in New York who want to take him with the seventh overall pick. The Jets let Tyler Conklin walk in free agency and lack a clear long-term starter on their current roster, making Warren an easy selection to fill an obvious need.
Schefter also mentioned Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou as a potential Jets target. He could replace right tackle Morgan Moses, who signed with the Patriots in free agency.
However, contrary to the front office’s desire for Warren, Glenn prefers to take a defensive player with the No. 7 pick, according to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline. That could turn the Jets’ attention to Barron, whose versatility to play outside cornerback, nickel, or safety could open up Glenn’s schematic options in the secondary.
Gap Remains In Contract Talks Between Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Micah Parsons showed up for the Cowboys’ voluntary offseason workout program as extension negotiations with the team continue, but recent comments from executive vice president Stephen Jones indicated that little progress has been made.
“Right now there is a difference in what we feel is the right number and what he feels is the right number,” said Jones (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota).
It’s unclear what the gap between each side’s “right number” is. Dallas has submitted an offer that would make Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, while the superstar edge rusher is reportedly seeking a total value of at least $200MM. Guaranteed money will also play a factor in negotiations, especially if Parsons’ desire for a $200MM deal comes with proportionally higher guarantee demands.
There are a number of contracts that could reach both benchmarks, including a five-year, $202.5MM deal that would likely include well over $100MM in fully guaranteed money. A four-year, $176MM extension would give Parsons $44MM per year and a total value of $200MM including his $24MM fifth-year option.
The Cowboys may balk at the total value and guarantees of the first deal or the APY of the second. Parsons, meanwhile, may be looking for $200MM in new money, requiring a deal of at least five years or a massive $50MM APY across four years that the team is unlikely to offer.
Despite the persisting gap between Parsons and the Cowboys, there appears to be the potential to find a middle ground that satisfies both sides. However, Parsons’ demands have continually increased as other players have reset the market for non-quarterbacks, so Dallas may want to act quickly before another major extension raises his asking price further. Then again, the team has faced steady criticism about delaying extensions recently, as it took until late last summer to finalize CeeDee Lamb‘s deal and up until the Week 1 kickoff to close Dak Prescott‘s. Parsons’ negotiations represent the next test for Cowboys management.
TE Mark Andrews Expects To Remain With Ravens
Mark Andrews is one of several veterans whose name has been connected to trade talk during the build-up to the draft. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta recently declined to confirm the All-Pro tight end will remain in Baltimore for 2025. 
Next season represents the final one of Andrews’ contract. The 29-year-old has signed one extension in his career, but it remains to be seen if he will receive another from the Ravens. A trade around or during the draft has therefore been a talking point since the end of the 2024 campaign. Andrews does not anticipate being moved, though.
“At the end of the day, I think [DeCosta] said it perfectly: He’s in the business of keeping great players and it’s a business at the end of the day,” the three-time Pro Bowler said to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “You can’t be surprised by anything, but I’m a Raven. I know the Ravens and my relationship is incredibly strong and I trust in [DeCosta] and everybody there over at the Ravens.”
To be clear, DeCosta’s latest comments on the subject did not state the Ravens are actively looking to move Andrews. Head coach John Harbaugh has expressed an expectation the Oklahoma product will remain in the fold for at least one more year, something which will be influenced in large part by the strength of the market which develops for him over the coming days. Andrews is due to carry a cap charge of $16.91MM in 2025, while a trade would result in $11MM in savings.
Given Baltimore’s financial outlook – the likes of quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum and edge rusher Odafe Oweh are all in line for extensions as early as this offseason – keeping Andrews at a high cost would prove to be challenging. He set a new career high with 11 touchdowns last season, but Andrews’ 39.6 receiving yards per game average were the lowest mark since his rookie campaign. A repeat of that modest production at a high price would be difficult to handle from a cap perspective.
Another factor in this situation is the fact fellow tight end Isaiah Likely is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The 25-year-old’s playing time, yardage and touchdown totals have increased over each of his first three seasons, and he would be in position to assume an even larger pass-catching role in the event Andrews were to be dealt. A new commitment in the latter would decrease the funds available for a second Likely contract. Special teamer Charlie Kolar is also a pending 2026 free agent, meaning several decisions at the tight end spot will soon need to be made.
The most important of those relates to Andrews’ future, and clarity could soon emerge if a draft-day trade were to take place. That would come as something of a surprise to the player in this instance, but it remains something to watch for.