2025 Draft Rumours (ie The Pinch Of Salt Thread)

[Gator Mike]

Diana Russini reports this morning that in addition to the Browns and Giants fielding calls at #2 and #3, the Patriots are also listening to offers at #4, but... most of the calls appear to be from teams looking to move up if Hunter or Carter are somehow available.

She also reports that the Jags and Raiders have both expressed interest in moving up, depending on who is available.

 

[Mankok]

The Browns will take Milroe at 33 if they don't decide to move up into the late first for him.

 

[zimmy]

I’m not buying any of these trade ups into the top 4 personally. Feels more like those teams trying to get out and drum up interest. I think the Giants are in a pickle. Need a QB but don’t like the options and not convinced they love Carter given they are already strong at DE. I think they wanted Hunter as their fallback prize after Ward.

If teams are keen on Jeanty then they would be calling us. We’d surely be happy to move to 6 and still get Campbell.

 

[Steve102]

It’s borderline official

You know that's not Shefty's account, right?

 

[manxman2601]

You know that's not Shefty's account, right?

Thanks. Stupid me for not seeing it. I’ll delete.

 

[manxman2601]

Some information from Tony Pauline on the LTs:

Conerly’s range is 10-25

Simmons might not return until November

Ersery looked “sloppy” at his pro day, is not the hardest worker and has a mid-second grade.

Insider notes on red flags with Will Johnson and Jihaad Campbell, possible Kirk Cousins-Saints trade, and more

As we inch closer to the start of the draft, news has emerged on injuries likely to affect where first-round prospects end up.

www.sportskeeda.com

On the other side of the coin from Rapoport.

 

[Steve102]

Thanks. Stupid me for not seeing it. I’ll delete.

Happens to us all

 

[Rdforty2]

McShay says the floor for Banks is 13. So Campbell, Membou, Banks gone in top 13. Says Zabel no later than 18.

Now says Simmons should go top 25. Based on the comments with the aforementioned guys, seems like 18-25 for Simmons, in his opinion. Conerly and Ersery next. Ersery round 2, Conerly could go round 1.

Obviously he may be hearing some diversion and surprise picks impact everything, but this does seem to just give more credence to the idea that the tackles won't be there at 38. I think Ersery might because people seem pretty split on him. McShay likes him, Jeremiah has him in the 70's. But it only takes 1 team.

It's another issue that impacts stacking your board. Premium positions and where to rank them will impact every board differently. If we're at the front of the tackle run, it means we aren't reaching for a lesser talent and allows the team to more accurately stick to their board the rest of the way.

He also mentioned the Patriots may luck into a trade for a team moving up for Jeanty. He says unequivocally the Jags are not going Graham at 5. The rumors of Jeanty there could get stronger, pushing someone to move up to 4.

 

[manxman2601]

McShay says the floor for Banks is 13. So Campbell, Membou, Banks gone in top 13. Says Zabel no later than 18.

Now says Simmons should go top 25. Based on the comments with the aforementioned guys, seems like 18-25 for Simmons, in his opinion. Conerly and Ersery next. Ersery round 2, Conerly could go round 1.

Obviously he may be hearing some diversion and surprise picks impact everything, but this does seem to just give more credence to the idea that the tackles won't be there at 38. I think Ersery might because people seem pretty split on him. McShay likes him, Jeremiah has him in the 70's. But it only takes 1 team.

It's another issue that impacts stacking your board. Premium positions and where to rank them will impact every board differently. If we're at the front of the tackle run, it means we aren't reaching for a lesser talent and allows the team to more accurately stick to their board the rest of the way.

He also mentioned the Patriots may luck into a trade for a team moving up for Jeanty. He says unequivocally the Jags are not going Graham at 5. The rumors of Jeanty there could get stronger, pushing someone to move up to 4.

I’m starting to get the impression that Vrabel has his heart set on Campbell and doesn’t want to move down and risk losing him. Maybe to the Raiders at 6 but that’s as far as he’s probably wanting to drop.

 

[Steve102]

I’m starting to get the impression that Vrabel has his heart set on Campbell and doesn’t want to move down and risk losing him. Maybe to the Raiders at 6 but that’s as far as he’s probably wanting to drop.

Watch everyone get shocked when someone like the Jete trade up to #3 and take Campbell.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think a lot of that may prove accurate.

1. OL talent is at a premium, and will be in high demand. I personally think 16 will be the floor for both Banks and Simmons, and wouldn't be shocked if either Josh Conerly and/or Grey Zabel (IOL) snuck in as well. Besides NE @ 4 the Jets (7), Saints (9), Bears (10), 49ers (11), Cowboys (12), Dolphins (13), Colts (14) and Cardinals (16) could all go OL. There are another half dozen or so teams in the back half who could use OL help as well.

In my final mock I have Membou (7), Simmons (8, to NE with a trade-down), Campbell (11) and Banks going top 13, with Conerly and Zabel going top-25. But the demand could be greater. Zabel has been linked to both Miami and Dallas, and could easily go 12-18. So 6 OL in the top 18 would not shock me. If a run starts, teams will be desperate not to get left out.

2. All reports - for what they are worth - are that Jax wants a playmaker for Liam Coen, and are a likely landing spot for Ashton Jeanty at #5, so anyone that wants him will probably have to jump the Jags. I had Oakland trading up with NE to #4 in my final mock, with the Jagyars trading back once Jeanty was gone and taking Tetairoa McMillan.

Recent rumors have been conflicting: a) that teams might be interested in trading into the top 3 for Jeanty, and b) that teams would only consider trading up to 4 with NE if one of Hunter/Carter was on the board. Assuming Tennessee takes Cam Ward, both can't be true (and Ward would be available for trade bait in that scenario). So I think NE will have some trade leverage at 4 - not a ton, but some.

 

[bakes781]

I think a lot of that may prove accurate.

1. OL talent is at a premium, and will be in high demand. I personally think 16 will be the floor for both Banks and Simmons, and wouldn't be shocked if either Josh Conerly and/or Grey Zabel (IOL) snuck in as well. Besides NE @ 4 the Jets (7), Saints (9), Bears (10), 49ers (11), Cowboys (12), Dolphins (13), Colts (14) and Cardinals (16) could all go OL. There are another half dozen or so teams in the back half who could use OL help as well.

In my final mock I have Membou (7), Simmons (8, to NE with a trade-down), Campbell (11) and Banks going top 13, with Conerly and Zabel going top-25. But the demand could be greater. Zabel has been linked to both Miami and Dallas, and could easily go 12-18. So 6 OL in the top 18 would not shock me. If a run starts, teams will be desperate not to get left out.

2. All reports - for what they are worth - are that Jax wants a playmaker for Liam Coen, and are a likely landing spot for Ashton Jeanty at #5, so anyone that wants him will probably have to jump the Jags. I had Oakland trading up with NE to #4 in my final mock, with the Jagyars trading back once Jeanty was gone and taking Tetairoa McMillan.

Recent rumors have been conflicting: a) that teams might be interested in trading into the top 3 for Jeanty, and b) that teams would only consider trading up to 4 with NE if one of Hunter/Carter was on the board. Assuming Tennessee takes Cam Ward, both can't be true (and Ward would be available for trade bait in that scenario). So I think NE will have some trade leverage at 4 - not a ton, but some.

Would you take Carter at 4 if there's no fair trade offers?

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm not quite as high on Carter as some, but I suspect Vrabel would. But I also think there would be plenty of offers.

 

[mayoclinic]

Bold prediction from Chad Reuter at nfl.com:

Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty will be picked before Raiders can make the call at No. 6. The Giants likely have FOMO after watching Saquon Barkley leave to win a Super Bowl with the rival Eagles -- and they could use the third overall pick on Jeanty. Or Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, whose team picks at No. 4, could tab Jeanty to carry the load on offense, as Derrick Henry once did in Tennessee. If Jeanty’s still around at No. 5, the Jaguars could take him as the best player available, or trade out with someone else (the Bears, 49ers, Cowboys or even, if Carroll can't wait until his original draft slot, Las Vegas) for additional draft capital.

Bold predictions for Round 1 of 2025 NFL Draft: Browns shock at No. 2? Four RBs taken?

Ward - Hunter - Jeanty would make things interesting at 4 for NE.

Anything is possible when an owner meddles with the decision-making process.

 

[bakes781]

If the Giants owner gets his way than it would likely be Jeanty and he should fire himself lol

 

[mgteich]

I think a lot of that may prove accurate.

1. OL talent is at a premium, and will be in high demand. I personally think 16 will be the floor for both Banks and Simmons, and wouldn't be shocked if either Josh Conerly and/or Grey Zabel (IOL) snuck in as well. Besides NE @ 4 the Jets (7), Saints (9), Bears (10), 49ers (11), Cowboys (12), Dolphins (13), Colts (14) and Cardinals (16) could all go OL. There are another half dozen or so teams in the back half who could use OL help as well.

In my final mock I have Membou (7), Simmons (8, to NE with a trade-down), Campbell (11) and Banks going top 13, with Conerly and Zabel going top-25. But the demand could be greater. Zabel has been linked to both Miami and Dallas, and could easily go 12-18. So 6 OL in the top 18 would not shock me. If a run starts, teams will be desperate not to get left out.

2. All reports - for what they are worth - are that Jax wants a playmaker for Liam Coen, and are a likely landing spot for Ashton Jeanty at #5, so anyone that wants him will probably have to jump the Jags. I had Oakland trading up with NE to #4 in my final mock, with the Jagyars trading back once Jeanty was gone and taking Tetairoa McMillan.

Recent rumors have been conflicting: a) that teams might be interested in trading into the top 3 for Jeanty, and b) that teams would only consider trading up to 4 with NE if one of Hunter/Carter was on the board. Assuming Tennessee takes Cam Ward, both can't be true (and Ward would be available for trade bait in that scenario). So I think NE will have some trade leverage at 4 - not a ton, but some.

I think it delusional to think that no one wants to trade up to 4 for Jeanty.

 

[BelizePats]

The OT run is gonna come earlier than a lot of people expect.

 

[Steve102]

I think it delusional to think that no one wants to trade up to 4 for Jeanty.

I'd temper that a bit, bud. This is a very deep RB class. You might get a guy later in R1 or even R2-3 who is 90% of this kid. Is it worth the ransom to go up and get him if he's Emmitt Smith, when you could draft Curtis Martin in r2 or r3? I get a team might be in love with him, but are you getting close to or equal production if you stand pat and pick Hampton, Kaleb Johnson, Henderson, Judkins or even Skateboo? Tough year to hold a team ransom for RB.

 

[mgteich]

I'd temper that a bit, bud. This is a very deep RB class. You might get a guy later in R1 or even R2-3 who is 90% of this kid. Is it worth the ransom to go up and get him if he's Emmitt Smith, when you could draft Curtis Martin in r2 or r3? I get a team might be in love with him, but are you getting close to or equal production if you stand pat and pick Hampton, Kaleb Johnson, Henderson, Judkins or even Skateboo? Tough year to hold a team ransom for RB.

It will NOT take a ransom to move up to 4.

We would likely flip him to LV at 6 for a 4th and take the same player at 6 that we would have taken at 4. No one is taking Campbell at 5.

We would likely take a 2nd or 3rd for us to move down further (no lower than 10th).

I agree that whoever we would trade with could certainly get a fine RB staying where they are and drafting Henderson. However, is Jeanty worth spending a 2nd or 3rd? I think so. I think that there will be more than one team willing to trade with us to get Jeanty. The open question is how much does Vrabel want to draft Campbell.

If we weren't in such a terrible situation with our OL, Vrabel would gladly take Jeanty at 4.

 

[Steve102]

It will NOT take a ransom to move up to 4.

We would likely flip him to LV at 6 for a 4th and take the same player at 6 that we would have taken at 4. No one is taking Campbell at 5.

We would likely take a 2nd or 3rd for us to move down further (no lower than 10th).

I agree that whoever we would trade with could certainly get a fine RB staying where they are and drafting Henderson. However, is Jeanty worth spending a 2nd or 3rd? I think so. I think that there will be more than one team willing to trade with us to get Jeanty. The open question is how much does Vrabel want to draft Campbell.

If we weren't in such a terrible situation with our OL, Vrabel would gladly take Jeanty at 4.

I guess I am thinking about someone from lower in the draft order trying to move up to #4. I agree they'd take Jeanty in any other year. Still might.