Jalen Milroe

Seahawks Draft QB Jalen Milroe At No. 92

The Seahawks made sweeping changes to their QB room this offseason, swapping out Geno Smith for Sam Darnold and bringing back Drew Lock. They swooped in for a longer-term project tonight.

Jalen Milroe becomes the fourth QB off the board, going to Seattle at No. 92. The Alabama prospect will be under contract through 2028, while Darnold has no fully-guaranteed money past 2025. That will put early pressure on the veteran to perform this year to earn his keep in Seattle in 2026 and beyond.

Milroe is an exciting physical prospect with elite size and speed for the quarterback position. He has a strong arm but will need to work on his basic mechanics to improve his ball placement and accuracy, which are currently significant weaknesses. His attitude and approach to the game received strong reviews from coaches and scouts, but his on-field processing will need to accelerate in the NFL.

Milroe threw for more than 2,800 yards in each of his last two seasons at Alabama with 39 touchdowns on the air and another 32 on the ground. His physical rushing abilities could help him carve out a short-yardage role on offense early on, especially close to the goal line.

The Seahawks clearly believe in Milroe’s ability to develop under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko. Milroe could even compete for a backup job right away after reports that Seattle was open to trading Sam Howell. Now that they’ve landed a young, high-upside passer, they may prefer to give Milroe backup reps to aid his development while moving Howell for draft compensation.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Giants Still Trying To Trade Up To No. 1; Shedeur Sanders QB2 On Team’s Board?

The Titans are already believed to have rebuffed multiple Giants offers. A year after a failed Drake Maye trade pursuit — as the Patriots rejected Giants and Vikings proposals for No. 3 overall — New York appears shut out of the Cam Ward draft slot. Drew Lock‘s shootout win over the Colts in Week 17 set this chain of events in motion, bumping the Titans to No. 1 overall.

Although Tennessee has stood firm on No. 1, the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz notes the Giants are expected to make a final push for the pick. This would undoubtedly require a better offer. Thus far, all that has come out indicates a Giants third-round pick is part of the team’s trade package. Tennessee’s Ward interest would certainly require far more than that, and upping the price on a New York team carrying two hot-seated power brokers makes sense for a Titans team with leverage.

The Titans are not expected to go for any offer at this point, being sold on Ward as the player who can turn the team around. The Giants, then, are viewed as likely to have Abdul Carter ticketed for the Big Apple. The Browns (or another team) will have Travis Hunter to add. Positional needs would naturally make the Giants favor Hunter over Carter, but they are believed to view the Penn State linebacker-turned-EDGE as a prospect talented enough to table their QB need to later in the draft. On that note, the Giants have begun charting a potential path back into Round 1 for a passer, joining the Browns and Saints in this mix.

Brian Daboll-Jaxson Dart connections have emerged over the past several days, but Schwartz adds a notable update to the team’s QB hierarchy. Shedeur Sanders is the No. 2 QB on the team’s big board. While we are amid a leaguewide smokescreen avalanche, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler writes that an outside chance exists the Giants take Sanders at No. 3 to check off a box that has defined the Daboll-Joe Schoen regime’s tenure. Though, that is not the expectation for tonight, as Sanders is in danger of falling out of the first round.

The Giants have plenty of familiarity with Sanders. They spoke with the Colorado prospect at the Combine, hosted him on a “30” visit, dined with him before Colorado’s pro day and worked him out in Boulder last weekDarius Slayton‘s sister, Maleika, also serves as Colorado’s director of on-campus recruiting. The team, however, is believed to be split on Sanders after this eventful evaluation.

It should be considered likely he and Dart are the Nos. 2 and 3 options on Big Blue’s board, as the Post’s Ryan Dunleavy views Jalen Milroe as being a lower-ranked player for the team. With multiple Daboll-Dart connections surfacing, the rumor of a Daboll-Schoen schism is again relevant. Schwartz indicates the two decision-makers are aligned. Giants fans had better hope this is the case, as this is a pivotal draft after the team’s Daniel Jones journey lasted six years without much payoff.

Jones came to New York a year after the team chose Saquon Barkley over the likes of Sam Darnold and Josh Allen. It was believed at the time the Giants did not have a consensus on a QB in 2018. Pat Shurmur was believed to be higher on Allen, while Darnold support existed as well. John Mara was also believed to be an Allen fan at the time, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. While revisionist-history alarm bells may be sounding here — as has been the case with other teams re: Patrick Mahomes‘ 2017 draft journey — Mara being high on the eventual Bills icon at the time and seeing his GM draft Barkley may prove relevant now that his franchise needs a quarterback again.

Mara did not fire his GM and HC, despite a 3-14 season, shouldering some of the blame for Jones’ continued employment. With Schoen and Daboll in-season firing candidates, Mara making an ownership call for a quarterback at No. 3 — or at any point during the early rounds — would be a seismic development, one that would point to little confidence remaining in his current power structure.

The Giants, however, view Carter as a player who would supplement Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Packages featuring the trio would be deployed, as Schwartz adds the Giants were intrigued by the ex-Nittany Lion off-ball linebacker’s versatility. Having seen another ex-Penn State pass rusher morph from ILB to dominant edge rusher (Micah Parsons) does not hurt. Barring something unexpected, another sequence in which the Giants strengthen a strength on the edge, reminding of the Mathias Kiwanuka and Jason Pierre-Paul picks, is on tap. What happens next will prove more interesting, as a glaring QB need would remain.

Latest On Raiders’ Draft Plans; Team Open To Trading Aidan O’Connell?

The Raiders’ Geno Smith acquisition and extension all but certainly takes them out of the QB mix at No. 6 overall. But they are still being mentioned as a team interested in addressing the position later.

Jalen Milroe came up as a Raiders target early in the pre-draft process, and now that a Smith extension is worked out, a long runway could be in place for a player deemed a raw prospect with a high ceiling. The Raiders remain on the Milroe radar, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. An early-second-round selection could be how Milroe’s draft process ends, though some execs informed Fowler the athletic Alabama option could land as a late-first-round choice.

That would require a trade-up from the Raiders, and we have certainly heard plenty about trade-ups for passers in this year’s draft. A frenzy could develop after the Browns and Giants — as they are expected to — choose Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter at Nos. 2 and 3. The Saints and Steelers have joined those teams as those doing extensive work on QBs, but the Rams, Raiders and Dolphins join them in being candidates to add one. Based on the volume — in a draft that has brought tremendous scrutiny on its non-Cam Ward options — multiple teams will be left out of this draft’s second tier at the position.

The Raiders, however, are still interested in Texas’ Quinn Ewers as well. Connected to the Texas starter earlier this offseason, Las Vegas has also done work on national championship-winning Ohio State QB Will Howard, Fowler adds. But they are higher on Ewers than Howard, per The Athletic’s Tashan Reed. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. slots Howard 105th and Ewers 111th in this class. By opting for this tier of QB, the Raiders could aim higher with their earlier-round choices, as they attempt to help a now-Smith-centered roster.

A Milroe move would obviously negate an Ewers investment, but either would be unlikely to seriously threaten Smith’s job security in 2025. Smith’s team-friendly contract gives the Raiders time to evaluate QBs, as this could be a multi-draft project. The Raiders having acquired Smith rather than take their chances with these free agency and draft crops is rather telling, as it would certainly be interesting to see them make that move and then dive back into Round 1 for Milroe. The Raiders’ second-round pick checks in at No. 37 overall.

At No. 6, the team has been closely tied to Ashton Jeanty. Smokescreen season notwithstanding, it would be rather surprising if Jeanty made it past Vegas at 6. The Jaguars have now been connected to choosing the Heisman runner-up at 5, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds some strong cases for an O-line add have been made within the organization. We heard recently the Raiders would target an O-lineman at No. 6, but that appeared contingent on Jeanty being off the board. Russini’s assessment points to the team considering going O-line over the ex-Boise State dynamo.

If the Raiders are to go O-line at No. 6, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur offers that the team is believed to like Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. more than Mizzou’s Armand Membou. Seeing a wide gap form between the SEC blockers’ prospect values, Banks looks to gained steam as the draft nears. The prospect of Ewers’ LT going in the top 10 appears in play, as Banks has also been connected to the Jets at 7. Membou would not stand to fall too far if Banks goes ahead of him, even with some teams viewing the college RT as a guard going forward.

The Raiders’ QB plans may well impact Aidan O’Connell. Closing both his two NFL seasons as the Raiders’ starter, the former fourth-round pick has come up as a trade candidate during this year’s draft, per Russini. The Raiders pitted O’Connell in a competition with Gardner Minshew last year, and while the younger passer lost, he was frequently called upon as Antonio Pierce benched Minshew. The latter’s season-ending injury moved O’Connell back into a starter role. He is 7-10 as a starter in two seasons, which is fairly impressive considering the rosters the Raiders trotted out in that time.

Two years remain on O’Connell’s rookie contract. The Raiders moving O’Connell would likely come after they have added another backup option, as only 2024 UDFA Carter Bradley is rostered beyond Smith at the position.

Rams High On Tyler Shough; Team Eyeing TE-Based Trade-Up In Round 1?

Not seeing Stetson Bennett make much progress as a potential long-term option, the Rams re-signed Jimmy Garoppolo as Matthew Stafford‘s backup. The team, however, still needs a post-Stafford answer; the QB will play an age-37 season in 2025.

This draft is not teeming with QB options like last year’s brought, but the Rams are starting to emerge as a threat to land one of the passers. The team is viewed as a potential first-round dark horse for one, and ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler indicates it is believed to be high on Louisville’s Tyler Shough.

Considering Shough’s background, he would be an interesting choice for a team that has Stafford on his current contact — terms of his adjusted deal are still not known — through 2026. Shough will turn 26 later this year, having played seven college seasons. The former Justin Herbert Oregon backup has since bounced to Texas Tech and Louisville. But he has generated steady interest — potentially as a late first-rounder — during the pre-draft process.

The Giants both hosted Shough on a “30” visit and worked him out, while the Browns, Raiders, Saints and Seahawks have done work on the experienced QB as well. The Rams do not have a second-round pick this year, having sent it to the Panthers to move up for Braden Fiske in 2024. That would complicate a potential Shough path, but it would also make Los Angeles’ No. 26 overall pick one to watch.

However, the Rams having agreed to another reworked deal with Stafford also would point to that pick being used as a way to strengthen a team that tested the eventual champion Eagles in last year’s divisional round. That loss came several months after the Rams tried to trade up for Brock Bowers last year, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the team is on the radar to move up for one of this year’s tight end prospects.

The Rams hit on their first-rounder last year (Jared Verse), after not making a first-round pick since 2016, but they spent most of the season without starter Tyler Higbee. They also saw Bowers set a rookie TE record for receiving yardage (1,194) as a Raider. While Higbee remains under contract, he is entering an age-32 season.

This year’s draft also brings TE help, as teams are lining up as Tyler Warren suitors. Colston Loveland is expected to go off the board in Round 1 as well, with Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz adding the Chargers (at No. 22) should serve as his floor. L.A.’s other team lost out on Evan Engram to the Broncos and could use another weapon here.

If the Rams are to make a move for a tight end or address another position in Round 1, they may join a parade of teams aiming to use Day 2 picks on a QB — via a direct pick or a trade-up move. The Rams hold two third-round picks (Nos. 90 and 101).

Further illustrating their QB interest, ESPN.com’s Matt Miller notes the hosted Jalen Milroe on a “30” visit. Although Milroe’s skillset differs wildly from Stafford’s, the Rams would stand to have time to develop the raw prospect due to their current starter’s timetable. It looks like they can safely be added to the list of teams in the mix for this draft’s second tier of QBs.

Tyler Shough Gaining Steam; Latest On Giants, Saints’ QB Plans

APRIL 16: After their Thursday Sanders workout, Giants brass will head to Tuscaloosa and Louisville this weekend. The team will conduct its Milroe workout Friday, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, and go through its Shough session Saturday. Forming a potential path that includes a Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter selection at No. 3 before circling back to a quarterback, the team will meet with each prospect at dinner prior to the meetings.

APRIL 15: While likely the recipient of a few Tommy Boy references regarding his college duration, Tyler Shough has managed to become an intriguing prospect despite his three-school college odyssey spanning seven years. Shough’s stock may now be rising to the point where a first-round pick is not out of the question.

Not entering the pre-draft process on this level, Shough certainly appears to have gained steam as the journey nears its conclusion. Meeting with a few teams, Shough has seen multiple clubs label him this draft’s top QB prospect, according to NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini also indicated (via her Scoop City podcast) one coach told her Shough is this draft’s best quarterback.

Mentioning first-round buzz in connection with Shough, Russini adds Shough’s name is coming up in NFL circles far more than he was a few weeks ago. The former Oregon, Texas Tech and Louisville arm will be one of this draft’s most interesting players, and he enters the NFL as part of a draft crop that features a muddled QB race behind likely No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. It would still surprise if Shough heard his name called before Shedeur Sanders, but he may be making inroads toward the Sanders-Jaxson Dart tier.

At 25, Shough would be an atypical first-round pick. Although Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix and Bo Nix all played age-24 seasons as rookies, Shough bridges the gap between this trio and the unusual Brandon Weeden/Chris Weinke NFL entrances. A 2012 Browns first-rounder, Weeden was 28 as a rookie due to a minor league baseball past. A Florida State national championship game starter, Weinke turned 29 before his rookie season. The age issue helped drop the ex-Seminoles standout to the fourth round. Shough’s profile veers closer to Weeden’s; Shough will turn 26 in September, undoubtedly creating an issue for teams eyeing a long-term quarterback solution.

This draft does not feature the depth and upside last year’s crop brought, and teams will need to weigh an investment now against waiting until 2026. Shough has met with the Browns, Saints and Seahawks, and CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones adds the Giants will work out the 2024 Louisville starter this week.

New York, which already used one of its “30” visits on Shough, is already preparing to work out Sanders this week as well. While the Giants are now viewed as unlikely to draft a quarterback at No. 3 overall, the prospect of the team trading back up for one should be considered in play — especially with Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll on hot seats. Schoen attended Shough’s pro day last month.

The Giants hold the No. 34 overall pick as well, and NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill notes the Saints may not see Shough on the board by the time their No. 40 overall pick arrives. Shough stands to be one of the players teams consider moving up for, and a move into the first round would give a team a fifth-year option on him. Shough’s age would make that prospect a bit more interesting, as he would be 30 for said fifth-year option season. QBs rarely reach their option year, though, and a second contract would cover Shough’s early 30s. A team may not have Shough for quite as long, but were he a true starter-caliber option, it would check a rather important box for many years.

The Saints have been tied to both Dart and Texas’ Quinn Ewers, as links to potential second- or third-round passers persist, and Russini adds the team is “on a mission” to leave this draft with a quarterback. Considering Derek Carr‘s now-uncertain status — due to a potential shoulder surgery stemming from a 2023 injury — there will be pressure on the Saints to have another answer.

Shough accompanies Ward as the most pro-ready options in this draft, longtime NFL QB2-turned-Russini cohost Chase Daniel offers. At No. 9 overall, New Orleans may well have all this year’s QB prospects except Ward on the board. That juncture appears early for Shough, but a trade-up may from No. 40 may be necessary to acquire the well-traveled passer. Though, other options figure to be available at 40, should Mickey Loomis and Co. stay put and hope to address this need there.

New Orleans will send a sizable contingent to Athens, Ga., for the Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams workout Thursday, Duncan adds. Both Georgia defenders would be options for the Saints at No. 9.

The Giants will be in the same boat as the Saints if they go elsewhere in Round 1, but New York does hold an extra third-round pick if a QB-motivated trade-up is to be strongly considered. The team’s previously reported Jalen Milroe workout will happen this week (per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport), and Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano adds Syracuse’s Kyle McCord — an Ohio State transfer — visited the Giants today. McCord would be a Day 2 option at best for the Giants, who have placeholders Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston as midlevel insurance.

NFL Announces 17 Prospects Attending NFL Draft

There will be 17 draft prospects waiting in the green room to hear their name announced next week. The NFL announced the players who will attend the first round next Thursday night in Green Bay:

When players commit to attending the first round of the draft, their respective camps have often been given some kind of assurance that they’ll be selected within the top-32 picks. Of course, that’s not a prerequisite, and as we’ve seen many times, there are some overly-confident prospects who subsequently endure the very-public waiting game.

Per usual, the most notable inclusions surround the QB position. Cam Ward is the favorite to go first-overall, and Shedeur Sanders (who is absent from this list) is also expected to be selected at some point in the first round. After that, the position is pretty uncertain, and that could lead to some awkward moments for the other QBs who decided to attend.

Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe have firmly established themselves in that next tier of QB prospects, and recent reports have indicated that they should be at least Day 2 picks. There haven’t been any definitive reports about their Day 1 candidacy, and while we shouldn’t read too much into the list of attendees, it is notable that both prospects believe they have a shot of going in the top-32 selections.

AFC North Draft Rumors: Browns, Bengals, Steelers, Ravens

Recently, we saw the Browns host a few probable Day 2 quarterback prospects, and it made us think that Cleveland is less likely to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and more likely to take his teammate Travis Hunter or Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter then pick a quarterback at the top of the second round. During an interview on ESPN’s The Daily Grossi, Tony Grossi seemed to support this notion.

Grossi seemed to confirm that the Browns like Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe “a lot” and that they could easily select him near the second round after addressing another position at No. 2 overall. I say “near the second round” because it’s likely that Cleveland could trade up a short distance back into the first round to secure a fifth-round option for a young passer.

This fits well with Milroe’s projected draft range, which Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports puts anywhere from pick No. 20 overall to pick No. 50. Cleveland holds the first pick of the second round (No. 33 overall).

Here are a few other draft rumors coming out of the AFC North division:

  • After spending most of their offseason so far (and a huge portion of their salary cap) on the wide receiver position, the Bengals are expected to use most of their six draft picks on defense, according to Jordan Reid of ESPN. With the team so far failing to reach a new agreement with defensive end Trey Hendrickson and potentially even including him in a Draft Day trade deal, defensive end could be an obvious target in the first round. Tony Pauline of sportskeeda predicts that if Cincinatti does go pass rusher, assuming Carter and Georgia’s Mykel Williams are already off the table, it could trigger a run of pass rushers instead of allowing them to continue to slide later and later into the first round.
  • While the Steelers are expected to spend one of their two picks in the first three rounds of the draft on a quarterback, Reid claims that they could use the other on a defensive tackle or wide receiver. The team has done plenty of research on both positions, notably checking out defensive tackles Joshua Farmer from Florida State and JJ Pegues from Ole Miss and wide receivers Matthew Golden from Texas and Savion Williams from TCU.
  • Lastly, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley predicts that the most likely first-round scenario sees the Ravens bolstering their defensive line. Kyle Van Noy returns after giving the team 21.5 sacks in the last two years, and Odafe Oweh finally broke out with a 10.0-sack performance in 2024, but David Ojabo and Adisa Isaac — both drafted in the top three rounds of their respective drafts — have yet to make an impact. With Michael Pierce retiring and Travis Jones entering a contract year, defensive tackle could make a lot of sense. The first round is extremely deep at the position with players like Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, Ole Miss’s Walter Nolen, and Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams all projected to be selected somewhere around Baltimore’s 27th overall pick. More likely, though, the Ravens tend to let the draft fall to them and select the best player available regardless of position. With few true holes on the roster, this should give them a bevy of options.

Alabama’s Jalen Milroe To Visit Giants, Rams, Seahawks

Following reports that Alabama’s Jalen Milroe was in Cleveland to meet with the Browns, we’re learning about a handful of additional official visits for the QB prospect. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Milroe also has upcoming visits with the Giants, Rams, and Seahawks.

Milroe’s elite athleticism has seen him up climb up draft boards in recent weeks. He reportedly impressed in workouts with the Browns and Saints, while the Steelers have also had their eye on the signal caller (with one report suggesting that Pittsburgh could even select him at No. 21). Either way, the Alabama product appears to be trending towards at least a second-round selection.

Each of these new suitors makes sense from a roster perspective. The Giants have been mentioned as a landing spot for most quarterbacks, and the organization is in prime position to select a QB with the third-overall pick. Of course, that’s no slam dunk, either because the top-two prospects (Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders) could be off the board and/or the Giants decide to opt for one of the draft’s two blue-chip prospects (Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter). If the organization doesn’t use that early pick at quarterback, then they could be ready to pounce on the position with pick No. 34.

The Rams, meanwhile, are continuing to take a year-to-year approach with Matthew Stafford, and that means they’ll surely be eyeing a succession plan via this year’s draft. Armed with the No. 26 pick, the Rams are clearly not in a position to land a player of Ward or Sanders’ caliber, and that’s why the team has often been connected to the second-tier of prospects at the position. For instance, we heard today that the Rams have spent “considerable time” with Ole Miss’ QB Jaxson Dart.

Among the three newest teams connected to Milroe, the Seahawks have the most clarity at QB moving forward. The team handed Sam Darnold a three-year, $100MM deal this offseason, but considering the veteran’s lack of track record, the Seahawks will surely be eyeing some contingency options in the draft. Milroe isn’t the first QB that’s been connected to Seattle; we heard that Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough met with the team back in March.

While there’s still uncertainty about how that second-tier of QBs will shake out, Milroe certainly deserves a spot. The prospect had a breakout season in 2023, finishing with 23 touchdowns vs. only six interceptions. Those passing stats took a step back in 2024 (16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions), but Milroe continue to impress with his production on the ground. After finishing 2023 with 531 yards and 12 touchdowns, he collected 726 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024. Milroe fits the profile of a high-upside project, so there could surely be a surprise team that selects the Alabama product with the intent of hiding him on the depth chart for a few years.

Browns Host Several QB Prospects; Raiders To Meet With Jaxson Dart

Tuesday was a busy day in Cleveland, where the Browns hosted a number of quarterback prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. According to a few different sources, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Louisville’s Tyler Shough all were on site for visits in Cleveland today.

Don’t be mistaken, despite recent buzz for Dart and Milroe as potential first-rounders, neither player is likely being considered a target at No. 2 overall. More likely, the Browns are exploring the possibility of utilizing their current first-round pick on one of either Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado athlete Travis Hunter then either taking a quarterback at the top of the second round or trading back into the first round for one.

Dart seems like the least likely to land in Cleveland. In order to draft Dart, it’s starting to look like the Browns would need to trade well into the first round. Dart has been noted as a player under consideration as the Saints (No. 9 overall pick) explore their options for a quarterback of the future. If Dart gets passed over in favor of a sliding Shedeur Sanders or some other prospect, the Steelers could move on the Ole Miss product to take over after Aaron Rodgers (or if Rodgers never signs). After visiting with the Browns today, Dart will visit next with the Raiders, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’s also spent “considerable time” with the Giants and Rams.

If Dart does go to New Orleans or some other team early, the Steelers have also been linked to Milroe. Pittsburgh really likes Milroe due to his elite athleticism. The Alabama product has plenty of shortcomings as a quarterback prospect, but many believe that, if they can coach up some of those areas of concern, his athleticism will be too big of an asset to pass up. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Milroe had private workouts with both Cleveland and New Orleans that were described as “impressive.” Today’s top-30 visit with the Browns was reported by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cabot also reported Shough’s participation.

Shough has not really been the subject of many rumblings about the first round, but as a quarterback, he may just sneak in. Should Cam Ward, Sanders, Dart, and Milroe all come off the board after Pittsburgh is done selecting at No. 21 overall, the Browns may find it safe to trade up a pick or two into the first round to take Shough.

While it would be a safe bet that Shough could fall to them at the top of the second round, moving up slightly likely wouldn’t cost Cleveland too much draft capital. Also, trading into the first round for any of the above prospects would provide Cleveland the luxury of a fifth-year option, giving them more time to develop whatever young passer they may acquire.

QB Draft Rumors: Titans, Saints, Manning

As the 2025 NFL Draft continues to draw nearer and nearer, we continue to see momentum towards the Titans selecting Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick. While the team’s president of football operations, Chad Brinker, spoke recently about the time the team has spent evaluating top options like Ward, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, he also spoke about a patient, disciplined approach that could entail trading back.

“We are going to go through the whole thing, and I think probably here in two weeks, we’re going to have a good idea of where things are headed,” Brinker told the media, per Titans senior writer/editor Jim Wyatt. “And there’s a chance a team calls, and it makes you stop for a second and think, ‘Hey, we might need to consider this.’ But all of this is a part of being disciplined and being thorough.”

Dianna Russini of The Athletic seemed to imply that there are some in the building who are pushing for the team to trade out of the No. 1 overall spot. Russini, in a recent interview, talked about how those in the building with this view see so many question marks on the roster and so many positions of need. If a team gives them an offer that allows them to cover more ground in repairing what needs to be fixed, they feel as if the team needs to seriously consider that option.

Here are a few other rumors concerning quarterback prospects in the coming draft (and beyond):

  • In an interview on NFL Network yesterday, Ian Rapoport noted the Saints as a team that could go after a quarterback early in the draft. The team recently restructured Derek Carr‘s contract, ensuring that they wouldn’t be forced to draft a quarterback later this month, but Rapoport posits that New Orleans still needs a quarterback of the future. If necessary, the team could take a passer at ninth overall or trade back later into the first round, if they believe the guy they want will still be there. Notably, Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post told us today that officials from two NFL clubs have “suggested the Saints’ brass is…infatuated with Texas’s Quinn Ewers in the second round.”
  • La Canfora also cited a scout who believes that Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is “almost a lock to go in the second round.” Milroe has been making the rounds in the pre-draft process with several teams who have needs at quarterback. La Canfora’s source cited Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson as examples of guys who didn’t necessarily have elite accuracy or passing ability coming out of the draft but, eventually, added those attributes to their natural athleticism. Milroe is viewed as an elite athlete, and if teams believe they can improve on accuracy and passing traits that, at this moment, don’t seem NFL-ready, there’s no reason he can’t hear his name called on Day 1 or 2.
  • One last thing La Canfora mentioned was that “nearly everyone in the scouting community has opined on the Giants being infatuated with Texas quarterback Arch Manning.” Manning is obviously the nephew of long-time New York franchise passer Eli Manning. The issue with this thought is that they would need to tank in 2025 to be in a position to select Arch, and even then, both Eli and his brother, Peyton Manning, spent four years in college. If Arch follows in his uncles’ footsteps, the Giants would have to tank for two straight seasons in order to have a chance at him. A lot can happen in two years, and given that Manning has only played in 12 collegiate games and made only two starts for the Longhorns, his draft stock could easily change over that time.