A week from tonight NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will walk across a stage outside Lambeau Field and declare the 2025 NFL Draft officially open, with the Tennessee Titans on the clock.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the overwhelming favorite to be the first player taken. What happens after that is anyone’s guess.
Let’s dive into the latest rumors.
Tyler Shough a first-round pick?
We have discussed the phenomenon of the first-round quarterback riser before, as it is a tale as old as time. As the draft approaches one, and sometimes more than one, quarterbacks are discussed as a potential first-round option.
Why? The allure of the fifth-year option is perhaps the biggest reason, coupled with the overall importance of the position.
The latest quarterback to generate first-round buzz? Louisville passer Tyler Shough. In a piece for the official league website insider Tom Pelissero identified five potential first-round “surprises,” starting with Shough.
“Shough has thrust himself into the next-tier conversation with Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe — and many scouts and coaches rank him above at least one of those more-heralded players,” writes Pelissero.
There are some concerns, starting with his injury history. Shough suffered a broken collarbone in 2021, a shoulder injury in 2022, and a broken leg in 2023. He is an older prospect — he will turn 26 early in his rookie season — and spent seven seasons in college.
Still, as Pelissero notes, it only takes one team, and there are things to like about his game. “Shough is older (25), and both the injury volume and its impact on his play style will concern some teams. But coaches like his size (6-4 7/8, 219), accuracy and processing ability,” continued Pelissero. “He might be the readiest of the whole QB group to play in the NFL right now. Does he have a chance to be a bona fide, long-term starter in the pros? All it takes is one team to buy in and take a shot on Shough in Round 1.”
Again, we have seen this song and dance before. But it does just take one team.
Other potential Round 1 surprises
In addition to Shough, Pelissero included four other prospects who could come off the board as first-round “surprises:” UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger, Georgia center Jared Wilson, Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams, and Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka.
Of those, the least surprising might just be Egbuka. This is an intriguing WR class, but while surrounded by talent in Columbus Egbuka caught 205 passes for 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns, setting a new Ohio State record for receptions.
Sure, you could argue that the receivers around him — such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and recently Jeremiah Smith — Egbuka had more opportunities available for him. But for a team that needs to address WR in the first round, he could be a very intriguing option.
Especially a team that has a quarterback Egbuka played with in college …
Steelers locked in on a DT?
As the saga over Aaron Rodgers’ plans for 2025 continues — with the latest rumors holding that the veteran quarterback might simply step away from the game — many believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to address quarterback with their pick in the first round.
But could Pittsburgh go in a different direction?
According to radio host Andrew Fillipponi, the Steelers are looking at the defensive line with their pick at No. 21, and have locked in on Oregon DT Derrick Harmon:
Source: Derrick Harmon has emerged as the “clear favorite” to be the Steelers 1st round pick. Quote: “he’s the total package.” Art Rooney II has been very vocal about Steelers addressing d-line. Something that didn’t happen in free agency. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/KduIfelAip
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 16, 2025
Harmon also visited the Steelers as one of their Top-30 pre-draft visits, and the Oregon product is considered one of the top players in the draft, as consensus mock drafts list him inside the first round.
Cowboys picking a WR, but which one?
Wide receiver remains a popular pick for the Dallas Cowboys in mock drafts, and with good reason. During the NFL League Meetings last month, Stephen Jones indicated that the team is looking for an “explosive” option alongside CeeDee Lamb. “We’re still open to looking at a really explosive number two that could upgrade us,” Jones said. “But as I said, I like our room and certainly like the players we currently have.”
But, who could that be at No. 12?
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan is one common pick for the Cowboys in that spot, but there is another option emerging for Dallas: Texas WR Matthew Golden. Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team looked at both McMillan and Golden as options for the Cowboys and concluded that it would be a “minor shock” if Golden was not the pick for Dallas at No. 12 if he is still on the board.
For the record, I would pick McMillan in that scenario, but Mosher is much more plugged in down in Dallas than I am …
Two veteran TEs on the move?
Could two veteran tight ends be on the move ahead of the draft?
That is the scenario floated by FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, starting with Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. As many noted, Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta talked about Andrews at length this week and was noticeably noncommittal about his future with the Ravens.
“I never know what’s going to happen, and I would never want to say this or that,” DeCosta said. “But I can tell you this: Mark Andrews is a warrior. He’s played his butt off for us, and his competitiveness, talent, attitude, and leadership are all highly valued here. He’s a great player, and we’re in the business of keeping as many great players as we can. But there’s always unpredictability with the draft — you just never know.”
Andrews is coming off a down campaign, one that ended for him with both a fumble and a critical drop late against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round. He is also entering the final year of his contract, and the team would gain around $11 million in cap space if they were to move him in a deal.
That is, as Schultz notes, similar to the situation with Dallas Goedert with the Philadelphia Eagles. Goedert is also in the final year of his deal, and teams have already begun calling about his availability in a trade, including the New York Giants.
What might make such a trade easier for the Ravens and the Eagles is the fact that this is a very fascinating TE class, starting with Tyler Warren from Penn State and Colston Loveland from Michigan. Both players are expected to come off the board in the first round, along with perhaps LSU TE Mason Taylor.
And the Ravens also have Isaiah Likely to build around at the position.
Stay tuned.
Georgia defenders holding private workout
A pair of Georgia defenders who might come off the board in the first round are holding a private workout for teams on Thursday. According to ESPN analyst Jordan Reid, Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams will run through positional drills at the school’s indoor facility on Thursday:
https://x.com/Jordan_Reid/status/1912602412386246877
Williams has been mocked inside the first round throughout draft season, landing anywhere from the Detroit Lions at No. 28 to the Carolina Panthers at No. 8. As for Walker, he has seen his stock rise as the draft approaches, with some believing he could come off the board as high as No. 4 to the New England Patriots.