The 2025 NFL Draft is just one day away! Here are some rumors that I have heard from sources with the draft just hours away.
For a lot of the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, a common projection in mock drafts has been for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to go to the Las Vegas Raiders with the sixth-overall pick. Sources with the Raiders liked Jeanty, but there were some in the building who thought they should address the offensive line early and draw on a deep class of good running back prospects on day two. In my latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, I have the Raiders taking Missouri right tackle Armand Membou, and Las Vegas could take Membou even if Jeanty makes it to six. However, Jeanty is now heavily linked to go to Jacksonville with the fifth pick. From what I am hearing, I think Las Vegas will take Membou at six.
At one point, Dallas was thought to be the likely landing spot for Jeanty, but that was wishful thinking as Jeanty looks poised to be taken in the top 10. Sources say that the Cowboys really like two running backs on day two. Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are both said to be top candidates for Dallas’ second-round pick, according to team sources. There also could be some other unexpected talents that slip to pick 44, but these running backs are liked as potential Cowboys.
Some team sources are saying that Miami did a lot of work, and has shown a lot of interest in Georgia safety Malaki Starks. The Dolphins sent a big contingent of evaluators to Starks’ pro day, and spent time with him outside of the workout. Sources also say that Starks is known for being a great leader, worker, and culture changer in the locker room. He might a great fit for Miami in the first round.
Sources also say that the New Orleans Saints staff has been all over Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams. Taking Williams with the ninth pick would be somewhat surprising. New Orleans has a ton of needs on their roster and just re-signed veteran Chase Young to go along with the underrated Carl Granderson and aging veteran Cam Jordan. Still, New Orleans is showing a ton of interest in Williams according to sources.
The consensus top two wide receiver prospects are Arizona’s Tetairoa McMilland and Texas’s Matthew Golden. After those two, the next wideouts typically projected to go in the back half of the first round are Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka and Missouri’s Luther Burden. Some teams like both of them, but another name that could go late in the first round is Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins. Some teams have Higgins as their third-rated receiver.
Months ago after Lions pro bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg against the Cowboys, we reported how the Lions were unlikely to trade for a superstar defensive end like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby. Sources with Detroit said that would make it very difficult to re-sign a lot of the young talent on their roster, and also would command an expensive haul of draft picks. The Lions proved our report accurate during the season and this year in free agency.
In recent days and weeks, there have been rumors of the Detroit Lions being willing to trade explosive young wide receiver Jameson Williams. It is understandable that the Lions would consider trading Williams. They already have an expensive No. 1 receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown. They also have a lot of good young players who are coming up on second contracts. That group includes Hutchinson, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Sam LaPorta. A year or two behind them will be Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell. Hence, there Williams may not get a second contract.
In speaking with sources, it sounds like the Lions would not trade Williams for anything less than a first-round pick, and it might take more than just a first-rounder. They can pick up his fifth-year option and have him for two more seasons. They could franchise him after that if the money makes sense. Losing Williams in two years in free agency would probably send a third-round comp pick back to Detroit, so it does not make sense to deal Williams for a day-two pick. From speaking with sources, I don’t think the Lions will trade Williams. And it would probably take a first-round pick and maybe more to make that trade happen.
Everyone is projecting the Lions to take a defensive end in the first round of the draft tomorrow, and sources say that is possible. However, Detroit does not feel like they have to draft that position after bringing back Marcus Davenport and Al Muhammad to go along with Hutchinson and Josh Paschal. Muhammad played well last year and was an unsung hero of the final month of the season for the Lions’ defense. That being said, there are defensive line prospects that the Lions like. It is a long-term need as well. Hutchinson is poised to get a massive extension, and that could limit how much they spend on a veteran across from him. Paschal and Davenport are in the last year of their contracts as well. Sources say that a defensive end to keep an eye on is Ohio State’s J.T. Tuimoloau. It sounds like general manager Brad Holmes and assistant general manager Ray Agnew like Tuimoloau. The Lions like big edge defenders that can rush with power and speed while also setting the edge in the ground game. Tuimoloau is a potential fit. If Detroit feels he is the best value on the board, Tuimoloau could be a Lion on Thursday night.
On the other side of the ball, the wide receiver and the offensive line are in play. Detroit had an interest in trading up for some receivers last year in the early rounds. They also were content to take Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson in the first round last year before Terrion Arnold slid within range. A couple of days later, it looks like Holmes made another brilliant late-round pick when he came away with guard Christian Mahogany in the sixth round. The Lions could consider a guard to go with him after losing Kevin Zeitler in free agency. Sources say Detroit really likes Alabama guard Tyler Booker. He would be a great scheme and culture fit for Dan Campbell. Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson could be in play as well. Thus, it would not be surprising if the Lions continue to build up the trenches on the offense or defense tomorrow night.
