Tag: 2025 NFL Draft

Travis Hunter ‘for sure’ headed to NFL, where he expects to play offense and defense

Colorado star CB/WR Travis Hunter ‘for sure’ headed to NFL, where he expects to play offense and defense

Travis Hunter is a Heisman Trophy front-runner and one of the most likely top-5 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. That is–if the Colorado wide receiver/cornerback enters the draft.

Any of that “will he or won’t he” drama evaporated around Hunter on Thursday.

In a conference call with reporters, Hunter left no doubt about his intentions. He will “for sure” be entering the 2025 NFL Draft. And he intends to keep playing both offense and defense at the next level, too.

“It’s never been done,” Hunter said of playing both sides full-time in the modern NFL. “I understand that it will be a high risk, [teams] don’t want their top pick to go down too early and I know they’re going to want me to be in a couple packages. But I believe I can do it. Nobody has stopped me from doing it thus far.”

Showing his confidence in himself, Hunter added,

“I like when people tell me I can’t do it.”

Hunter is the No. 1 overall prospect on my latest big board, and evaluates higher at cornerback than wide receiver.

Potential Cowboys target Travis Hunter says he’s ‘definitely’ declaring for 2025 NFL Draft

Colorado’s Heisman Trophy favorite Travis Hunter says he’s “definitely” declaring for the 2025 NFL draft and could be a target Dallas Cowboys

The Eagles are 8-2, and outside of another dramatic collapse, Nick Sirianni’s team is set for another playoff run and a late first-round pick.

For the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and possibly the Washington Commanders, Thursday’s NFL draft announcement from Travis Hunter should make potentially missing the playoffs worth it.

The Giants will surely be in on the Shedeur Sanders sweepstakes at the top of the NFL draft. For the Cowboys and Commanders, all eyes will be on Travis Hunter and his draft position.

Hunter made it clear to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN that his time in Boulder is ending.

Dallas and Washington have urgent needs on both sides of the football field, and Hunter would solve many of them. Hunter has 74 catches for 911 yards and nine touchdowns this season at wide receiver, and he’s also run for one touchdown on offense. As a shutdown cornerback, Hunter has 24 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defensed, and a forced fumble.

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Texas QB Quinn Ewers expected to declare for 2025 NFL Draft

Texas QB Quinn Ewers expected to declare for 2025 NFL Draft

Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers has been a fixture in mock drafts since before the 2024 college season, though the signal-caller technically has more eligibility after the season. It feels a little safer now to include Ewers in the 2025 NFL Draft projections.

It’s not exactly breaking news, as Ewers has long been suspected (expected?) to declare for the draft following the conclusion of the Longhorns’ season. However, this is the first sourced information that Ewers is set to head to the NFL.

From 247 Texas football insider Chip Brown,

I spoke to two sources close to Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers on Wednesday night who said they expect Ewers to enter the 2025 NFL Draft after this season, meaning Saturday’s game against Kentucky (2:30 p.m., ABC) would be Ewers’ last regular-season home game as a Longhorn.

Texas is positioned to earn a berth in the College Football Playoff, thanks in part to Ewers’ steady play. The junior has completed 68.4 percent of his passes, tossing 21 TDs and 6 INTs.

Report: Texas QB Quinn Ewers Expected to Declare for 2025 NFL Draft

Reports say Quinn Ewers will play final game at DKR on Saturday.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is expected to enter the 2025 NFL Draft following this season, according to two sources who spoke to Chip Brown of 247Sports. If accurate, Saturday’s game against Kentucky (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) would mark Ewers’ final regular-season home game as a Longhorn.

When asked Monday about the possibility of it being his final home game, Ewers remained noncommittal. “Who knows?” he said. “I’m just trying to win this week.”

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian also weighed in during Monday’s media session, saying, “No idea,” when asked about Ewers’ future.

Ewers has been a pivotal player for Texas this season, completing 68.4% of his passes (169-of-247) for 21 touchdowns, six interceptions, and one rushing score. The redshirt sophomore has thrown a touchdown pass in 21 consecutive games, a streak that ranks second in school history behind Colt McCoy’s 29-game streak from 2007 to 2009.

Among Ewers’ highlights this season was a dominant performance in a 49-17 win over Florida, where he threw five touchdown passes—all at least 20 yards. The feat places him alongside elite company, as only three other SEC quarterbacks—Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa (2019), Georgia’s Aaron Murray (2011), and Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott (2014)—have achieved it since 1996.

With Ewers at the helm, the Longhorns have secured 10 consecutive true road wins, a streak they aim to continue in the coming weeks. As speculation around his NFL future grows, all eyes will be on Ewers and the Longhorns when they take on Kentucky on Saturday.

This report is based on information first published by Chip Brown of 247Sports.

ESPN argues Saints should make an unconventional pick from an SEC powerhouse

ESPN’s Matt Miller argues the Saints should make an unconventional pick from an SEC powerhouse in the 2025 NFL draft with Georgia tweener Jalon Walker:

What will the New Orleans Saints do in the 2025 NFL draft? It’s way too soon to say with certainty, but there’s no better time to speculate than the Saints’ bye week. With a defense built on aging talent moving slower and making fewer plays, one obvious area they should address is their pass rush.

Just ask ESPN’s Matt Miller. He argues the Saints should go to one of college football’s powerhouses with their first pick, even if Georgia star Jalon Walker’s immediate fit in the Joe Woods-coordinated defense is unclear:

There’s a lot of uncertainty in New Orleans, which will have a new coach after Dennis Allen’s midseason firing and has questions about quarterback Derek Carr‘s future. The Saints could use this pick to improve a defense that gives up 6.1 yards per play, second worst in the league. Plus, Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis will be 36 years old next season. Walker has played as an off-ball linebacker and off the edge. He doesn’t have great size, but his first-step speed and power have helped him to 5.5 sacks. I like him in a stand-up rushing role in a 3-4 scheme if New Orleans’ new regime goes that route.

The problem is the Saints don’t have a history of developing players like Walker — undersized edge rushers who are too light to play at defensive end with a hand in the dirt, but without the experience at dropping into coverage when stanced up off the ball at linebacker. Think of guys like Zack Baun and Martez Wilson, or Davis Tull and Ronald Powell in the later rounds.

At the same time, the Saints haven’t gotten much out of plug-and-play conventional defensive ends like Payton Turner and Isaiah Foskey, either (to say nothing of the failed Marcus Davenport experiment). And it could be a whole new coaching staff making these decisions by the time April gets here. While there’s good reason to have some skepticism about Walker’s fit with the established system and coaches the Saints have right now, he could end up being just who they need to turn things around.

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3 Georgia Bulldogs selected early in first round of 2025 NFL mock draft

Three Georgia Bulldogs are projected to go in the top half of the first-round in a recent CBS NFL mock draft.

CBS writer Ryan Wilson recently released his newest 2025 NFL mock draft. Wilson projects that three Georgia Bulldogs will go in the top half of the first round of his mock draft.

All three of Wilson’s projected first-round picks from Georgia play defense. The Bulldogs are among the best defenses in the country, but still have room for improvement.

Jalon Walker, Miami Dolphins, 12th overall

Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

Jalon Walker has shown insane versatility, lining up as both an off-ball linebacker and as an edge rusher. He’s a fast player that is great at block shedding, both in pass-rushing and run defense. He’s already drawn praise from NFL legends, such as Micah Parsons, who he’s received comparisons to. Walker would be an impact player for the Dolphins defense that sorely needs one in the front seven.

Mykel Williams, 14th overall, Chicago Bears

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Mykel Williams is a little further down from draft mocks earlier in the year. He was considered a contender for the No. 1 overall pick in September. However, he is still a one-of-one talent when he’s healthy.

Williams’ incredibly good against the run, showing elite upper-body strength and technique that helps him bulldoze offensive tackles. The Bears could use offensive lineman, but they could also use a second edge rusher to pair with Montez Sweat.

Malaki Starks, 16th overall, Seattle Seahawks

Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images

Starks would fit perfectly in former Georgia assistant Mike McDonald’s system. Starks is a safety with excellent range. He is super effective at reading running gaps and is one of the best tacklers on Georgia’s defense. That could make a Seattle defense that is already 12th in tackling grade, according to PFF, even better.

Top 2025 NFL Draft center prospect suffers serious injury in practice

Seth McLaughlin was playing his way up draft boards and had already accepted a Senior Bowl berth

One of the top center prospects ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft is going to be out for some time with an unfortunate injury.

Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin will miss significant time after tearing an Achilles in practice. It was a noncontact injury for McLaughlin that was confirmed by Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. It’s a big blow for the Buckeyes offense as they prepare for a major Big Ten showdown with Indiana this week. McLaughlin joins left tackle Josh Simmons, another potential top 100 pick, as Ohio State linemen who are out for the season with injuries.

McLaughlin is a senior who had already accepted a Senior Bowl invitation. His steady play had moved McLaughlin up draft projections into the Day 2 range. Now, the transfer from Alabama will be out through the draft workout season.

 

Falcons select EDGE in first round of NBC Sports’ mock draft

Atlanta Falcons select pass rusher in first round of NBC Sports’ latest mock draft

The Atlanta Falcons have gone 6-5 through the first 11 games of the season, but they still rank dead last in the league with 10 sacks. Even though the team did record a rare sack against the Denver Broncos, it did little to change the outcome of Sunday’s 38-6 loss.

Only six NFL teams have less than 20 sacks entering Week 12. The Falcons have an extra week to get their pass rush off of life support but it’s definitely an area where the team could use an injection of talent this offseason.

The draft hasn’t been kind to Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot when it comes to selecting defensive players in the later rounds. Perhaps it’s time for the team to use a first-round pick to address its most glaring need.

That’s precisely what the Falcons do in NBC Sports’ new mock draft. With the No. 20 overall pick, Atlanta selects Marshall pass rusher Mike Green:

If I could buy stock in one prospect right now, it might be Green. The talented pass rusher from Marshall already has 15 sacks this season, boasting a skill set that is sorely needed for the Falcons right now. However, what might impress scouts as much as the sack totals is his mentality taking on blocks in the run game, despite being listed at 248 pounds. — Connor Rogers, NBC Sports

Green’s production has gone way up this season, racking up 15 sacks, eight QB hits and 29 hurries. The Marshall edge rusher has earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 92.2 and a run-defense grade of 91.0.

Considering Green has five more sacks than the entire Falcons defense, it’s an appealing option for Atlanta. PFF’s big board currently lists Green as the No. 63 player in the class, but that will likely change in the coming months.

After their bye week, the Falcons will host the Los Angeles Chargers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Updated 2025 NFL draft order for all 32 teams entering Week 12

2025 NFL Draft: Updated draft order entering Week 12 of 2024 season

The Atlanta Falcons lost their second consecutive game on Sunday, dropping to 6-5 on the season as they begin their bye week. While the team is still in a position to win its first division title since 2016, seven teams are within one game of Atlanta record-wise.

The 2025 NFL draft is a little over five months away, starting on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Even though there are still seven weeks left in the season, it’s never too early to check out the draft order.

Check out where all 32 NFL teams are currently slated to pick in the 2025 draft as we enter Week 12 below:

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)
  2. Tennessee Titans (2-8)
  3. Cleveland Browns (2-8)
  4. New York Giants (2-8)
  5. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
  6. New England Patriots (3-8)
  7. New York Jets (3-8)
  8. Carolina Panthers (3-8)
  9. Dallas Cowboys (3-7)
  10. New Orleans Saints (4-7)
  11. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
  12. Miami Dolphins (4-6)
  13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)
  14. Chicago Bears (4-6)
  15. Indianapolis Colts (5-6)
  16. Seattle Seahawks (5-5)
  17. Los Angeles Rams (5-5)
  18. San Francisco 49ers (5-5)
  19. Denver Broncos (6-5)
  20. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
  21. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
  22. Washington Commanders (7-4)
  23. Houston Texans (7-4)
  24. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
  25. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
  26. Green Bay Packers (7-3)
  27. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
  28. Minnesota Vikings (8-2)
  29. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)
  30. Buffalo Bills (8-2)
  31. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
  32. Detroit Lions (9-1)

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2025 draft prospects make Ohio-Toledo worth watching for Vikings fans

On Wednesday night, Toledo faces the Ohio Bobcats and their defense has two players who could be nice fits for the Vikings.

The 2025 NFL Draft is going to be critical for the Minnesota Vikings’ long-term success. They don’t have many picks in the draft, which means each one needs to be spent on a player who could make a difference in some form or fashion.

On Wednesday night, Toledo faces the Ohio Bobcats and their defense has two players who could be nice fits for the Vikings.

On their defensive line, they have Darius Alexander, a Senior and difference-maker up front. He does a good job of using leverage to get into the backfield and has the instincts to be a reliable run stuffer. He has 27 tackles, six tackles for a loss, and two and a half sacks.

In secondary school, they have Maxen Hook, a playmaking safety for their defense. Hook has set a career-high in tackles in just ten games, with 87 so far, while also adding two tackles for a loss and two forced turnovers.

Both won’t be very high draft picks, but they could be fun pieces drafted on day three of the draft with whom Brian Flores uses strategically.