NFL Draft Rumors: Latest Buzz On Shedeur, Steelers, Milroe and More

We are just over one week away from the NFL Draft, and NFL teams are dropping nuggets about other teams left and right. After having gathered a slew of interesting tidbits and notes over the past week, I am here to share with you what I am hearing just days away from the draft.

Some of these rumors have already been reported publicly, and those rumors will have a source noted. However, there are some other tidbits I have gathered myself from my own sources who are closer to the ground to those respective organizations and have insight on what that team is considering internally. We will discuss those as well.

Rumors will continue to swirl throughout the coming week, but keep in mind that many of the rumors that are leaked the week of the draft are simply smoke. Teams may be putting out information in hopes of getting a player to fall to them or getting a team to trade up or down with them. Even the topics we are talking about today are simply rumors. They are not news, nor are the guaranteed to happen. However, I have found these substantive enough to share them with you and encourage you to keep them in the back of your head on draft night.

What I’m Hearing

• While Shedeur Sanders is not out of the question at 3, my gut is telling me he could slide outside the top 10, perhaps even into the 20s. The Ringer’s Todd McShay says he is hearing the most likely landing spots for Shedeur are the Giants at 3 or the Steelers at 21, also mentioning the possibility of a team trading up ahead of the Steelers to snag him. I have him going to the Giants on a trade-up to Pick 24 in my most recent mock draft.
• If the Saints take a quarterback at Pick 9, don’t be surprised if they opt for Jaxson Dart over Shedeur Sanders. In the research I have done, I have not found a place that confirms Kellen Moore was even at Shedeur’s Pro Day, while he did attend Jaxson Dart’s. This is not a given the Saints would take Dart, but I do not get the sense the Saints like Sanders enough to take him at 9. If they pass on a quarterback at 9, don’t be surprised if they move up from Round 2 into the back end of Round 1 to get whichever quarterback falls.
• If the Saints don’t love any of the quarterbacks at 9, they could be a team to watch as a trade-down candidate for a team who wants to move up for an offensive playmaker, per Field Yates.
• The Patriots and Jaguars have both done significant homework on Jalon Walker, Will Campbell, and Armand Membou. None of those three would surprise me at Picks 4 and 5.
• Another possibility for the Jaguars at 5 could be Tyler Warren. Even though they seem to love Brenton Strange, Liam Coen loves using two-tight-end sets, and Jacksonville could still afford to add another weapon over the middle of the field.
• The Rams have tried to move up the last two drafts for a tight end, but they have failed to do so. They have shown interest in Tyler Warren, but it would require a substantial package to move up unless they find a team actively looking to move back. If he begins to slide, keep an eye on the Rams as a trade-up candidate.
• Jalen Milroe may seem like a shocker in Round 1, but rumor within the NFL is that the Steelers could take Milroe at 21, per Tony Pauline and Collin Cowherd. If Shedeur Sanders were still on the board at 21, it would be pretty safe for the Steelers to trade back and still land Milroe while acquiring extra draft capital to help compensate the loss of their second-round pick in the D.K. Metcalf trade. Then again, they could always stay at 21 and take Shedeur. I am not a proponent for the Steelers taking a quarterback in Round 1, but if you are going to take one, you might as well take the one with elite upside. Jalen Hurts is a common comparison for Milroe, and Steelers Assistant GM Andy Weidl, who sets the Steelers draft board each year, was in the front office that drafted Hurts. Something to keep in mind if the Steelers are feeling bold.
• The Cardinals and Vikings are both relatively low on draft capital, which makes them logical teams to trade back in Round 1. The Falcons have also been looking to trade the 15th pick for some time now.
• If the Cowboys pass on a running back at 12, don’t be surprised if Omarion Hampton falls to the division rival Commanders at 29. John Keim of ESPN has already reported the team wants an every-down back, and there are not many other teams in Round 1 who could target one. The Chargers have needs at defensive line, wide receiver, and tight end, and all three of those positions may fill a bigger hole. The Steelers are in a similar situation with defensive line, cornerback, and quarterback, and the Broncos could either target a defensive player like Nick Emmanwori at Pick 20 or trade back.
• Will Johnson, who I still believe is a top-10 player in this draft, appears to be trending in the wrong direction after an up-and-down pre-draft workout. Personally, I am not concerned about his speed at all, but because he is not fully healthy, his 40 time would not have been great if he had decided to run during his workout. In fact, Todd McShay recently reported that Johnson was running high 4.5s and low 4.6s in preparation for his workout. This opens the door for Jahdae Barron to be the top corner off the board, aside from Travis Hunter. Jordan Reid of ESPN is hearing the Raiders could consider Barron in Round 1 if they have an opportunity to trade back and decide to pass on Ashton Jeanty. Barron is currently the #7 overall player on my board, which makes his selection justifiable, even if the Raiders couldn’t trade back and took him at 6.
• Don’t be surprised if the Colts forgo tight end to add to the offensive line in Round 1. Chris Ballard is a firm believer in a strong offensive line, and Indy’s unit is not what it was 5 years ago.
• This has already been reported by multiple outlets, but Donovan Ezieruaku is definitely a name gaining steam. He could go as high as 15 and should draw interest from teams like Atlanta, Arizona, and Tampa Bay.
• The Lions need to add pass-rushing depth, but if their primary targets at the position are already off the board, expect them to look at offensive linemen in Round 1. Frank Ragnow is not likely to play many more seasons in the league, and Detroit wants to ensure they keep their line at an elite level.

Stay tuned to FFSN for all the latest news, intel, and rumors surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft!