The 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner and the forecast is calling for some cloudy skies with rumors swirling in the wind.
It’s officially smokescreen season in the league, where teams are seemingly interested in everyone and no one at the same time.
The only thing we seem to know at this point is that Miami’s Cam Ward will seemingly be the No. 1 pick and head to the Tennessee Titans. Other than that, it is anyone’s guess what may happen after Roger Goodell officially opens the draft at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 24 in Green Bay.
Adding a layer of intrigue to this year’s festivities, every team also owns their first-round pick. Could we see a flurry of trades as teams maneuver the board? As always, what about the quarterbacks?
The possibilities are endless and it’ll be some time before we start getting some concrete answers. In the meantime, we’ll be left to sift through the rumor mill and sort fact from fiction.
Here’s a look at the latest NFL draft rumors.
NFL draft rumors 2025
Mel Kiper Jr. talks best fit for Shedeur Sanders
Date: April 16
Source: ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.
Kiper called Sanders an ‘old-school’ traditional quarterback that reminded him of Drew Brees, in the lack of great arm strength and the importance of destination. He believes that the Saints would be a great spot for Sanders to land, given that he would play home games in a dome while possessing the necessary decision-making, accuracy and toughness. Kiper downplayed size concerns and said his arm strength will get better over time, adding the quarterback can be great with the right offense and the right personnel.
Giants GM Joe Schoen doesn’t think it’s ‘mandatory’ to draft a QB this year
Date: April 16
Source: Joe Schoen
During his pre-draft press conference, the Giants’ general manager said it’s not ‘mandatory’ to take a quarterback in this year’s draft.
He added, ‘Yeah, if the value matches up with what we have on a player. (But) I’m not going to force it if it’s not the right value. If the board lines up when we’re on the clock, we’ll go with it. I’m not going to be backed into a corner on that.’
TreVeyon Henderson to meet with Denver Broncos
Date: April 16
Source: 9NEWS’ Mike Klis
The Ohio State running back met with the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday and meets with another AFC playoff team today on the final day of top-30 visits. Denver is currently slotted to pick No. 20 overall in the first round, one pick ahead of Pittsburgh. Henderson is one of the four best running backs in a very deep class and could be a surprise riser into the first round thanks to his speed, receiving abilities and zero career fumbles.
James Pearce Jr. to visit 49ers, Will Johnson to visit Seahawks
Date: April 16
Source:NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport
On the last day of top-30 visits, Pearce is set to visit the 49ers and Johnson will meet with the Seahawks. San Francisco is slated to pick 11th, while Seattle is slotted in at 18th. Pearce was previously thought of as a top player in this class, but has fallen out of favor over time. Johnson is considered the best cornerback after Travis Hunter, but injury concerns could push his down the board.
Did Mason Graham reveal his draft landing spot?
Date: April 16
Source:CBS Sports
Graham was seen wearing a Jacksonville Jaguars shirt in a workout video posted to social media by coach Brandon Jordan. The post was later deleted, but Graham has been commonly linked to the Jaguars throughout the draft process. A California native that played college football at Michigan doesn’t have a direct link to Jacksonville, so perhaps Graham is tipping his hand a bit here.
Giants expressed interest in trading for Eagles’ tight end Dallas Goedert
Date: April 16
Source:ESPN’s Jordan Raanan
‘I heard at one point they looked into Dallas Goedert,’ Raanan said on Giants After Dark. ‘He sounds like a guy who is going to get traded at some point in this draft.’
Goedert is entering the final season of a four-year, $57 million contract with the Eagles. He has no guaranteed money remaining and carries an $11.7 million cap hit.
New York currently has Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz and Greg Dulcich on their tight end depth chart, but none have the experience or production that Goedert offers. Last season, Goedert had one of the least productive years of his career, missing seven regular-season games, finishing with just 496 receiving yards his lowest total since his rookie season.
Cam Ward may have tipped his hand to where he’s going during ‘Fortnite’ stream
Date: April 15
Source: Cam Ward
There are no games this time of year. Well, except ‘Fortnite,’ apparently.
Top NFL draft prospect and presumptive No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward had some downtime to play the popular video game on Tuesday night, and he let out just a little bit of a tell when it comes to where he might land come next Thursday.
The best wide receiver in the game? Calvin Ridley. The best running back? Tony Pollard. A head coach he likes more than any others? Brian Callahan. What do all those have in common? They’re all members of the Tennessee Titans, who, coincidentally, own the No. 1 overall pick.
Cowboys could look to move down
Date: April 15
Source:Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones
During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Jones indicated the team doesn’t seem to be in a spot to move up on draft night.
‘I don’t necessarily see us moving up, based on the way the board is coming together,’ Jones said. ‘But could see a situation where we move down.’
He highlighted the depth of the draft and added the team has experienced some good fortune just outside the top-10.
Giants could trade back up for Shedeur Sanders
Date: April 15
Source:ESPN’s Peter Schrager
Schrager said the Steelers previously met with Sanders for five hours, but suggested the Giants could take Abdul Carter at No. 3 before trading back up for Sanders. He likened the possibility to what the Texans did in 2023, when they drafted C.J. Stroud and traded up for Will Anderson.
Jalen Milroe, Tyler Shough to work out with Giants
Date: April 15
Source:NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport
Already set to have a workout for Shedeur Sanders, the Giants are adding Milroe and Shough to the list of potential options. New York is leaving no stone unturned in their quest to find a quarterback for the future, especially as it relates to Sanders.
Milroe is the most intriguing player out of that group, however. Head coach Brian Daboll has previously worked with former Alabama head coach, Nick Saban, so the Giants might have some additional information on the Crimson Tide prospects.
Tyler Shough draft stock rising
Date: April 15
Source:The Athletic’s Dianna Russini
Russini has heard Shough’s name a lot more in league circles recently, adding that he could end up in the first round. According to the report, one current NFL head coach told her that they believe Shough is the best quarterback in the class – even better than Cam Ward.
Panthers open to trading back
Date: April 15
Source:Panthers GM Dan Morgan
General manager Dan Morgan said the team is open to trading back and acquiring more picks, adding they are open to all possibilities. He didn’t say how far the Panthers would be willing to move back, but it’s clear Carolina would like do some wheeling and dealing.
Mike Tomlin likes Shedeur Sanders
Date: April 14
Source:The Ringer’s Todd McShay
Whether Sanders makes it to No. 21 is unclear, but McShay said he has heard Tomlin likes the quarterback. The Steelers are in an interesting spot thanks to Aaron Rodgers and currently set to enter the 2025 season without a clear starting quarterback. With Russell Wilson landing with the Giants and Justin Fields signing with the Jets, Pittsburgh seems to be in Rodgers-or-bust territory. The only way out would be through the draft. Sanders might just be the escape hatch.
Shedeur Sanders an option at No. 3 for Giants
Date: April 14
Source:The Ringer’s Todd McShay
McShay said people have told him to not close the book on Sanders to the Giants at No. 3, saying it’s either the Colorado quarterback or Abdul Carter for them. With the extensive work New York has done on Sanders, it’s clear that there is plenty of interest from Big Blue.
When is the NFL draft 2025?
The NFL draft is set to begin on Thursday, April 24 with the first round. It will resume on Friday, April 25 with the second and third rounds before wrapping up on Saturday, April 25 with the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.