NFL draft 2025 stay updates: Jaguars commerce up with Browns to get Travis Hunter at No 2 | NFL
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Peter Pearson writes: “ I grew up in Inexperienced Bay. Really feel for my mother – she mentioned she isn’t leaving the home this weekend. Good to see my hometown featured and the Lambeau parking zone full although. I hope the native enterprise make a bajillion {dollars} and so they’re cooking up a number of bratwurst.”
And Dan Aitch is on the lookout for the Raiders to commerce up and draft the inexperienced sofa, I imply, Shedeur Sanders.
Oh, look – they obtained the uplink to Loveland’s lounge in Idaho!
I’m glad there’s no draft for Guardian stay bloggers. My lounge would look horrible on TV.
No. 10 decide, Chicago …
Packers followers boo, in fact, upon listening to the Bears being introduced.
Then Goodell comes up and pays tribute to former Bear Steve McMichael, who has simply handed away. The gang sportingly will get very quiet and stays quiet as Goodell waxes eloquent about Walter Payton.
THEN they boo once more simply earlier than the decide is introduced, and it’s …
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan. ESPN says he grew up in a city of 258 individuals. That’s even smaller than Inexperienced Bay.
We get stay video not of Loveland however of the Bears draft room.
Possibly the primary shock right here? Loveland forward of Tyler Warren?
Two ladies have come to the stage to hype the upcoming schedule launch. You’ll be able to really feel the gang considering, “Get on with it!”
The schedule will likely be launched Could 14. We’re so glad to convey you this breaking information.
No. 9 decide, New Orleans …
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas.
In order that they’ll shield the QB they’ve reasonably than drafting a brand new one.
Banks isn’t in Inexperienced Bay. He’s at house in Houston and is overcome with emotion.
The New Orleans Saints haven’t drafted a QB within the first spherical since Manning.
Not Peyton. Not Eli.
Archie Manning. In 1971 …
However they’ve Derek Carr and a teen in Spencer Rattler. So would they …?
Awww … McMillan positioned a lei round Goodell’s neck. He’s certainly from Hawaii.
He’s nonetheless carrying a lei as effectively, and it’s one his grandmother made. He’s thrilled to be representing Polynesian tradition.
No. 8 decide, Carolina
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona.
He has some candy dance strikes as he walks to the stage.
Choices, selections …
I prepped a couple of capsules forward of time based mostly on mock drafts and rankings. The gamers nonetheless accessible from that checklist:
QBs: Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart
TE: Tyler Warren
Edge/LB: Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams
No. 7 decide, NY Jets …
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri. The 332lb lineman dazzled on the mix. Amongst offensive linemen, he was first within the broad soar (9ft 7in), second within the 40-yard sprint (4.91), tied for second in bench press (31 reps), and fourth in vertical leap (34 inches). Amongst all gamers, he tied for fourth in bench press. He’s solely 6ft 4in, stable inch or three under what NFL groups need at sort out. Thankfully, there’s additionally a place within the NFL known as “guard,” and possibly Membou could be even higher there than he was at sort out at Missouri, the place he was battle-tested in opposition to SEC competitors week after week.
So Dan Aitch, who wrote to make use of earlier this night, should be thrilled. The Raiders obtained the man he wished. Individuals who know greater than I do insist that Jeanty will likely be nice at this stage. However I watched that playoff sport, and … I didn’t see it.
No. 6 decide, Las Vegas Raiders …
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State. The diminutive again took a run at Barry Sanders’ single-season dashing file and fell simply brief with an unreal 2,601 yards. The dangerous information is that Penn State contained him fairly effectively within the Nittany Lions’ playoff rout – a minimum of within the first half, by which he fumbled twice (dropping one) and wasn’t a giant issue transferring the ball down the sector. However NFL.com’s NextGen Stats crew ranks him first, in response to their mannequin that certainly is sensible to some math majors someplace. He hasn’t recorded a 40-yard sprint time, which is also a crimson flag or a minimum of a yellow flag. Backside line, although, is that he has that uncanny capacity to search out holes and burst via them, and irrespective of how refined soccer evaluation will get, that’s at all times going to be a prized talent.
No. 5 decide, Cleveland Browns …
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan. Going from Mission Viejo, California, to Michigan is definitely a shock, weather-wise, however the Californian developed right into a finalist for the Outland Award, given to the nation’s prime inside lineman on both aspect of the ball. He was additionally a highschool wrestler, and people abilities have helped him battle within the confined areas in the course of the road. As a senior, he had 45 tackles – seven for loss – and blocked a kick.
Campbell takes a very long time to stroll to the stage. Can we get offensive linemen a transferring sidewalk or one thing?
Enthusiastic about going to New England?
“That brand speaks for itself.”
With the fourth decide, the New England Patriots choose …
Will Campbell, OT, LSU. Possibly a time of 4.98 within the 40-yard sprint doesn’t appear all that spectacular. However does it change your thoughts to know that the particular person in query is 6ft 6in and 319lb? That point positioned Campbell fifth among the many Offensive Linemen Who Agreed to Go to the NFL Mix This 12 months. Draft scouts are considerably involved about his “brief arms” — solely 32⅝ inches, in response to those that measure such issues. A greater stat to think about, from LSU’s stat-keepers: Campbell allowed solely 5 sacks in 2,553 snaps. No surprise former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is so cheerful.
So the highest 4 picks have gone within the order most individuals anticipated. However nobody anticipated that commerce. What do the Browns bear in mind now that they’re up?
We get one other view of Shedeur Sanders’ sofa. It’s inexperienced.
With the No. 3 decide within the NFL Draft …
The New York Giants choose …
Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State. The Huge Ten Defensive Participant of the 12 months led the nation in tackles for loss (23.5) and was within the prime 10 in sacks (12). He spent the primary a part of his faculty profession at linebacker however moved to defensive finish with no bother in any respect. At 250lb, he’ll be going across the typical offensive sort out reasonably than via them, however that doesn’t appear to be an issue, and it gained’t cease followers who spend an excessive amount of of their fall months screaming at their groups to place some strain on the quarterback from salivating on the considered him doing simply that.
The Giants will likely be hoping free-agent signing Russell Wilson is usually a passable QB.
Oliver Connolly has a couple of ideas on Hunter’s two-way potential.
So, Travis – will you get to play each methods? What did the Jaguars inform you?
“They instructed me they’re going to let me exit and do what I do.”
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With the No. 2 decide within the NFL Draft …
Properly, first, Roger Goodell is giving the Walter Payton Man of the 12 months award, given to an incredible humanitarian within the league, Arik Armstead of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He speaks for a bit, imploring the draftees to craft a optimistic legacy.
Then Armstead will get to announce the commerce and his new teammate …
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado. Is Hunter a legit two-way star? Or will he, like most gamers who dazzled on either side of the ball in faculty, find yourself specializing in one place? His faculty coach, Deion Sanders, had essentially the most profitable two-way profession in latest reminiscence, however that basically meant only one season with vital time at broad receiver. Sanders signed Hunter initially at Jackson State – NFL.com claims he’s the highest-rated prospect ever to signal with an HBCU (Traditionally Black Faculty or College) – and took him alongside when he moved to Colorado. How will he fare with out Coach Prime on his sideline?
Along with swapping No. 2 for No. 5 and a fancy shuffling of picks in later rounds this yr, the Browns get one thing enormous – a first-round decide subsequent yr.
Commerce! Jacksonville will get the No. 2 decide
Cleveland swaps first-round picks with Jacksonville and picks up a couple of extra picks as effectively.
The Jaguars don’t want a QB. Absolutely this subsequent decide will likely be Travis Hunter.
Cam Ward picked first in NFL Draft
No shock. The Titans weren’t going to enter subsequent season with Will Levis because the starter.
Concerning the decide …
Cam Ward, QB, Miami. After beginning his profession at FCS faculty Incarnate Phrase, Ward moved on to Washington State and posted large numbers for 2 years earlier than deciding to go to the opposite nook of the contiguous United States for his remaining yr. That’s the place he racked up prime honors – first-team All-American, Davey O’Brien Award (nation’s prime QB), fourth in Heisman voting – and took benefit of the NCAA’s Covid rule to play a fifth yr and set a Division I file for profession passing touchdowns. However in case you base your scouting on whether or not a participant sits out the second half of a loss within the PopTarts Bowl, you’ll have a couple of questions right here.
Oh, goody. We get extra pre-draft festivities, as Goodell introduces the Inexperienced Bay gamers on stage with him. And Lil Wayne.
And now they get to listen to speeches, beginning with Clay Matthews studying an alleged message from Donald Trump. Some cheers at first, then some boos.
Lastly, at 8:08 p.m. ET, the Tennessee Titans are on the clock. They’ve 10 minutes to submit their decide, or a gap rips within the space-time continuum.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has opted to journey a bicycle to the stage, accompanied by some legendary Inexperienced Bay Packers gamers and followers. That could be a Inexperienced Bay custom of which I used to be not conscious. Booing the commissioner can be conventional, and that’s persevering with this yr.
ESPN reveals us an empty sofa someplace in Texas that’s apparently the place they count on to see Shedeur Sanders. It’s a pleasant sofa, a minimum of.
The primary particular person to write down in tonight is (we’ll presume) a long-suffering Raiders fan, Dan Aitch …
Sitting right here hoping the Raiders discover a option to get Shedeur Sanders, to develop underneath Geno Smith.
About time the franchise made some critical strides ahead.
Undecided it can, although.
He writes once more so as to add …
… however I’ll fortunately take Ashton Jeanty.
I’m a little bit iffy on Jeanty as a result of he didn’t face nice competitors till the playoffs, and he didn’t do effectively then.
The Titans are apparently not buying and selling the No. 1 decide. They want a quarterback. Cam Ward is trying increasingly more likely to be the primary participant to make the stroll on stage.
About two-way gamers …
Deion Sanders, who coached two-way hopeful Travis Hunter at Colorado, didn’t imagine in specialization. His play as a shutdown nook within the NFL is what obtained him into the Corridor of Fame, however he was additionally a harmful kick returner and infrequently a large receiver — particularly in 1996, when he caught 36 passes (on an inefficient 67 targets) for 475 yards and was nonetheless an All-Professional cornerback. Maybe not coincidentally, that was the primary yr he wasn’t additionally taking part in baseball.
Most two-way collegiate gamers find yourself focusing closely on one aspect of the ball. Suppose Corridor of Fame defensive backs Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson, who put up eye-popping numbers in faculty (Bailey’s final yr at Georgia: 744 yards and 5 touchdowns receiving, 52 tackles and three interceptions on protection) however had few sufficient offensive performs to depend on one hand. Adoree’ Jackson is the newest talent participant to do each, however he additionally has solely a handful of offensive performs. Patrick Peterson and Eric Weddle additionally obtained a couple of possibilities to point out their stuff on offense.
No participant picked his spots higher than linebacker Mike Vrabel — 10 regular-season receptions on 14 targets, all for touchdowns, along with two landing receptions in two totally different Tremendous Bowls.
Vrabel flashed his versatility in New England, as did two offensive gamers who dabbled on protection — Randy Moss and Troy Brown, each of whom performed faculty soccer at Marshall. Brown completed his faculty profession by intercepting a desperation cross on the final play of the FCS championship sport.
Rather less profitable in New England was Rob Gronkowski, the stalwart tight finish who defended one cross in his profession however wound up on the blooper reels as he fell down whereas flailing at Kenyan Drake on the finish of the “Miami Miracle” that noticed the Dolphins pull off a sequence of laterals for an inconceivable last-second win.
Many years after William “Fridge” Perry scored a handful of touchdowns, together with one within the Tremendous Bowl, a couple of large defensive gamers get the occasional goal-line alternative on offense. Dontari Poe has three profession touches — all for touchdowns. That’s two 1-yard run and one 1-yard cross.
There may be one present function participant who sees time on offense and protection — the Chargers’ Scott Matlock, who had 362 offensive snaps at fullback and 137 defensive snaps at defensive position in 2024. He’s primarily a blocker on offense, although he did have 4 receptions for 28 yards final season.
Now being launched … gamers who’re attending the draft as a result of they’ve a good likelihood of being drafted tonight within the first spherical. It’ll be fairly awkward in the event that they’re not.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is essentially the most historically dressed. Will Johnson seems like he plans to unleash an R&B ballad. Georgia’s Malaki Starks is in neon pink.
The nationwide anthem is being carried out on classical guitar – oops, no, he’s singing now. Hey, Chris Stapleton isn’t a nasty function mannequin for anthem performances.
An replace from Inexperienced Bay, website of the draft …
Travis Hunter has jumped onstage to bounce with the band.
He prevented harm.
To QB or not QB …
No place in trendy sports activities has as a lot affect on a workforce’s possibilities because the quarterback.
Barring the odd gadget play, the QB touches the ball on each offensive play. And the place’s significance has solely elevated over time as passing has elevated. Groups averaged 25-ish to 28-ish passes a sport within the Seventies. Final yr, it was 32.7 makes an attempt per sport, and that’s down from greater than 35 a couple of instances within the 2010s.
And QBs are anticipated to be correct. The general completion share within the NFL broke 60% lower than 20 years in the past and is now getting near a wholesome two-thirds.
That’s not all. The “dual-threat” quarterback is not an anomaly. QBs must be cell. If nobody’s open, take off and run.
Groups could make it to the Tremendous Bowl with out an elite working again. Or a shutdown cornerback. They normally can’t make it with out an elite QB any extra. The times of Brad Johnson vs. Wealthy Gannon are gone. Now it’s Jalen Hurts vs. Patrick Mahomes. Matthew Stafford vs. Joe Burrow.
The panelists talked about under (effectively, two of them) imagine the primary decide will likely be Travis Hunter, who’s bidding to be the primary authentic two-way participant within the NFL since … um … his faculty coach, Deion Sanders? (We’ll get to that.)
However that is the NFL, which stands for “No Enjoyable League.” Hunter will possible be transformed right into a cornerback like each different two-way collegian (together with Sanders, for essentially the most half).
That mentioned … does this draft have an elite QB? Is Cam Ward in the identical class as Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams? Or Drake Maye or Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix, for that matter?
Most likely not.
So the following neatest thing is take somebody who can take the opposite QB down as quickly as doable.
I’ll agree with Graham. Abdul Carter will go first.
Preamble
In about an hour and alter, we’ll hear, “With the primary decide within the NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans choose … Cooper Flagg, from Duke.”
What? Incorrect draft? Oh.
Proper – that is the grandfather of all drafts, the peculiar US custom that goals to instill a way of parity amongst groups in order that the worst workforce in a given yr will get the primary likelihood to enhance by gazing upon the proficient gamers leaving faculty and deciding on a Joe Burrow or a JaMarcus Russell first.
The NWSL has began what may change into a motion by taking away its faculty draft. That appears a few years away from taking place within the NFL.
In different phrases, that is the most important evening for professional soccer between the Tremendous Bowl and the primary 2025 regular-season sport. Take pleasure in.
(And wouldn’t Flagg be a greater decide than some? He may most likely throw fairly effectively.)
Beau will likely be right here shortly. Within the meantime, right here’s who our panel of writers suppose must be the No 1 total NFL draft decide tonight:
Travis Hunter, CB/WR. Any workforce choosing No 1 total wants a quarterback. And Cam Ward is the highest quarterback prospect within the class. However the No 1 decide must be Hunter, the electrifying hybrid nook/receiver. Whether or not he can play each methods within the league is an open query, however wherever he traces up, Hunter will likely be a gamechanger at a premium place. Oliver Connolly
Travis Hunter. I’m not fully bought on any of the quarterbacks on this class, in order that’s that out the window. As an alternative, I might simply and fortunately flip the cardboard in on soccer’s model of Babe Ruth or Shohei Ohtani: a man who can play two essential positions – cornerback and broad receiver – at an insanely excessive stage. My comp for Hunter as a receiver is DeAndre Hopkins; my comp for him as a cornerback is Darius Slay. Take into consideration how unprecedented that’s in soccer historical past, and make the transfer. Doug Farrar
Cam Ward, QB. That is the NFL draft, individuals. You get the highest decide, you draft the perfect quarterback on the board – and this yr they don’t come higher than 6ft 2in, 219lb College of Miami senior, a Davey O’Brien award winner (for the nation’s prime faculty QB) and Heisman Trophy finalist. It’s not nearly stats with him; it’s the utter nonchalance with which he piles them up. Andrew Lawrence
Abdul Carter, Edge. The prospect so as to add an edge defender who attracts comparisons to Micah Parsons is an outstanding alternative to remodel Tennessee’s protection. The Titans ought to rethink their technique at quarterback, and probably wait to select a brand new offensive cornerstone from subsequent yr’s richer expertise pool whereas they’ve the prospect to present their limp cross rush an enormous increase. Graham Searles
You’ll be able to learn their full checklist of predictions right here:
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