Sooner or later nearer, expensive readers.
Monday brings the beginning of a brand new work week, and brings us in the future nearer to the 2025 NFL Draft. That is the time of the draft cycle when the rumors really kick into gear, so let’s not waste any time.
May a group commerce to No. 2 for Shedeur Sanders?
The nearer we get to the draft, the larger the rumors turn out to be.
Maybe the most important rumor to emerge on Easter Sunday got here from Mike Florio of Professional Soccer Discuss.
{That a} group might commerce to No. 2 with the Cleveland Browns and choose quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
“After which there’s the nuttiest one we’ve heard in latest days. Not less than one skilled and completed evaluator of expertise thinks there’s an opportunity somebody trades all the best way as much as No. 2 to get Sanders,” wrote Florio.
Our personal Jared Mueller addressed that rumor as nicely, writing at Dawgs by Nature that such a transfer could be an “unlikely risk.” Many imagine that it’s extra probably that Sanders will slide deep into the primary spherical than it’s a group trades as much as No. 2 for him.
Whereas it might look like Sanders’ inventory is falling, the Colorado quarterback does have help across the league. In line with ESPN draft insider Jordan Reid, one assistant normal supervisor instructed Reid that they have been impressed with Sanders’ “on-field demeanor.”
Now, these might be the identical particular person, that’s doable too. However keep in mind: It solely takes one group to fall in love with a participant.
Commanders vast receivers
The Washington Commanders are constructing round second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels and already made a number of key additions on the offensive aspect of the soccer in free company.
Nevertheless it appears they don’t seem to be accomplished including weapons for his or her proficient younger passer.
In line with Tony Pauline, the Commanders want to add a large receiver or two out of this draft class. Whereas Washington traded for Deebo Samuel already this low season — who is perhaps a great match for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense — solely Luke McCaffrey is below contract with the Commanders past 2025.
Pauline mentions Maryland WR Tai Felton as one possibility for the Commanders.
What could show tough for Washington and normal supervisor Adam Peters to navigate is the large hole between their second decide (Choose 29 within the second spherical, 61 general) and their third decide (Choose 26 within the fourth spherical, decide 128 general). Does Washington look to bridge that hole through a commerce, so as to add a receiver someday within the third? Or will they keep at 61 and decide the receiver they like?
Ought to Derrick Harmon simply purchase a home in Pittsburgh already?
Final week we highlighted a pre-draft rumor involving the Pittsburgh Steelers, which linked Oregon defensive deal with Derrick Harmon to the group. In line with radio host Andrew Fillipponi, the Oregon DT has emerged because the “clear favourite” for the group within the first spherical:
Supply: Derrick Harmon has emerged because the “clear favourite” to be the Steelers 1st spherical decide. Quote: “he’s the entire bundle.” Artwork Rooney II has been very vocal about Steelers addressing d-line. One thing that didn’t occur in free company. Keep tuned. pic.twitter.com/KduIfelAip
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 16, 2025
Now one other NFL insider has added their voice to the refrain.
Writing in The Washington Publish, NFL Insider Jason LaCanfora additionally linked Harmon to the Steelers. LaCanfora relayed one evaluation of Harmon from an NFL evaluator, which held that “[Harmon] suits no matter protection you need to run if you understand what you’re doing.”
Actually looks as if there may be a variety of smoke round this pairing.
Additionally it is value noting that Gerry Dulac within the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette wrote Saturday that whereas the group has a first-round grade on Jaxson Dart and “likes” Sanders, taking a quarterback at No. 21 is “unlikely.”
May the Jaguars shock everybody?
Adam Schefter’s column on Monday on ESPN+ (subscription required) is stuffed with fascinating bits of pre-draft intel.
One such bit entails the Jacksonville Jaguars. Typical knowledge holds that the Jaguars will draft Michigan defensive deal with Mason Graham with the fifth-overall choice. However Schefter relays this message from a league govt: “Jacksonville is a wild card — watch.”
Who would possibly the Jaguars decide in that spot? Schefter mentions Arizona vast receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who has the ESPN insider notes has drawn comparisons to Mike Evans. That is perhaps the sort of participant that new Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen — who coached Evans final yr in Tampa Bay — was to construct his new Jaguars offense round.
A shock group to look at for Ashton Jeanty
Once more from Schefter’s column, the ESPN insider lists a shock group to look at for Ashton Jeanty.
The Chicago Bears.
“There are a number of personnel individuals who imagine the Bears are praying that Jeanty slips to them at No. 10,” writes Schefter. “They suppose new Bears coach Ben Johnson might function Jeanty and D’Andre Swift as a two-headed duo the best way the Lions did with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs when Johnson was Detroit’s offensive coordinator.”
What Chicago does in Johnson’s first draft with the Bears shall be fascinating to look at. The concept Johnson will push Ryan Poles to construct an offense much like what he had in Detroit makes an excessive amount of sense, and if you take a look at the Bears’ choices at No. 10, the offensive line and tight finish additionally stand out.
However the worth Jeanty affords is perhaps too arduous to go up if he have been to slip to No. 10.
Commerce candidates to look at
In one other little bit of ESPN+ content material, draft analyst Matt Miller recognized three groups that is perhaps seeking to commerce on Thursday night time: Two groups seeking to transfer down, and one group seeking to transfer up.
In line with Miller, the Carolina Panthers and the Minnesota Vikings want to transfer down. Carolina, a group linked with vast receivers and go rushers, is trying so as to add extra picks on Day 2 of the draft given the depth at these two place teams. The Panthers at present have 9 draft picks, together with two within the fourth spherical and three within the fifth spherical, however have simply No. 57 and No. 74 on Day 2.
The opposite trade-down candidate? The Minnesota Vikings. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has simply 4 picks to work with: One within the first spherical (No. 24), one within the third spherical (No. 97), one within the fifth spherical (No. 139), and one within the sixth spherical (No. 187). Minnesota would love so as to add extra picks through a trade-down if doable, and No. 24 is perhaps a great spot for a group coming as much as draft a quarterback.
So far as a group seeking to transfer up — not for a quarterback — Miller lists the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs as that group. With a necessity alongside the offensive line, Miller believes the Chiefs would transfer up if an OT they like slides down the board.
The ESPN analyst faucets the Houston Texans at No. 25 and the Los Angeles Rams at No. 26 as potential buying and selling companions with the Chiefs.