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The NFL draft is a constantly shifting and changing beast.
Those in charge of personnel decisions in each of the 32 NFL front offices are always adapting as their draft strategies and plans are affected by every other team's picks.
But the draft doesn't happen in a vacuum, either. There's plenty of potential for news and transactions happening outside of the draft that drastically affect what happens for each team preparing to make a selection.
USA TODAY Sports has compiled 10 possible twists that could shake up the outlook of the 2025 NFL Draft, particularly if these surprises come before or during the first round on Thursday.
NFL DRAFT BUSTS: 50* biggest disappointments of last 50 years include 2021 QBs
A trade of the veteran quarterback is one of the transactions that is both semi-likely and very significant. Several teams have been tied to Cousins in trade talks, according to the latest news out of the pre-draft rumor mill. The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings have all been named as potential suitors by The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
Were Cousins to be traded to a quarterback-needy team like the Browns or Steelers, some of the young quarterback prospects in the draft will suddenly have a harder time finding a new home at the pro level.
Perhaps less likely than a Cousins trade, but a Dolphins trade of either or both players would still be a move that would change that outlook of the draft. Miami would find itself with big roster holes to fill at wide receiver or cornerback, while a receiving team would be able to focus on another point of weakness on the roster or pivot to selecting the best player available.
The Los Angeles Rams have been tied to Ramsey with general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay not shutting down any talk of a potential reunion. Meanwhile, other rumors have linked the Dallas Cowboys to a possible acquisition of Hill, who is also facing off-the-field controversy as his estranged wife alleges abuse in recent divorce filings.
Cincinnati granted their star pass rusher permission to seek a trade in early March, but he remains on the roster as the first night of the NFL draft approaches. Perhaps the pressure cooker setting of the first round of the draft will be enough of a catalyst to get a transaction together for the disgruntled Hendrickson, who's coming off of back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons.
Neither general manager Duke Tobin nor head coach Zac Taylor had anything new to share regarding the defensive end in a pre-draft press conference on Monday.
Ward is all but a lock to come off of the board with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. But what if he didn't? If the Titans went a different route or got a trade offer they couldn't refuse – even after saying earlier this week that they planned to hold onto the pick – it would certainly throw a wrench in the outcome of the first several picks of this year's draft.
There's nothing to outright indicate this is a possibility. In fact, there's plenty of evidence to the contrary. Ward is celebrating Fornite wins by saying "Titan Up" and complimenting Tennessee's offensive stars. Meanwhile, the front office seems to be on the same page about keeping the top pick. But a zig when everyone expects a zag would be something.
This is among the most likely "twists" on this list. If the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants or New Orleans Saints do not select a quarterback with the first-round pick they're entering the draft with, there's a decent chance at least one of them tries to trade back up into the first round.
A trade back up would, in theory, give that team an extra year to work with on a quarterback prospect's rookie contract. Only first-round selections are eligible for fifth-year options, which are an invaluable tool for teams to use, especially on quarterbacks that can take a bit of extra "seasoning" at the pro level before they're fully developed as starters.
Some late-breaking injury news could be heavily detrimental for a player's draft stock. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, in particular, has been dealing with injuries to his shoulder and foot during his pre-draft process. Those injuries prevented him from working out at the NFL combine and Penn State pro day.
Whether it's Carter or another player, injury concerns can cause a talented player to tumble within any of the seven rounds of the draft. If those injury issues emerge close to the draft or the night of, the outlook of the first round can change significantly.
Once the Jets informed Rodgers they'd be releasing him, he became the highest profile free agent of the 2025 offseason. Yet the veteran still hasn't come to a decision on his next team, or whether he'll even play this season.
If Rodgers does sign during the draft, it will drastically shift the team needs of a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been heavily tied to the former Jet. Like with a potential Cousins trade, a Rodgers signing could cause further tumbles for quarterback prospects that already have a limited number of landing spots.
There have been a couple of very notable off-the-field concerns surrounding top prospects in recent years. During the NFL combine in 2023, a warrant for arrest emerged for then-Georgia prospect Jalen Carter after a revelation that he was involved in a street racing incident that ended in a fatal crash. In 2016, moments before that year's draft began, then-Mississippi prospect Laremy Tunsil posted a video of himself smoking from a bong through a gas mask.
Carter, widely considered one of the top athletes in his draft class, fell to the No. 9 overall pick. Tunsil, considered one of the top offensive tackles in his class, wasn't selected until No. 13 overall.
Anything could happen or emerge ahead of this year's draft, and it will be up to NFL front offices to decide how much late-breaking news affects draft outcomes.
Not only is this twist likely, it's almost certain to happen near the top of the draft. Both the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants – owners of the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks, respectively – are still seeking a franchise quarterback. However, signs are pointing to at least one of those two teams – if not both – passing on drafting one with their first-round pick.
That means some of the best athletes in the class – like Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter and edge rusher Abdul Carter – will come off of the board early while some of the top quarterback prospects (in an admittedly unimpressive class for the position) are waiting much longer to hear their names called.
Peter Schrager of ESPN reported Tuesday that the Browns and Giants were "fielding trade inquiries" for the No. 2 and No. 3 picks, respectively, in this year's draft. Whether Cleveland or New York make any moves back in reaction to those inquiries remains to be seen, but a trade back from a top-three pick would undoubtedly shake up the first round of the draft.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL Draft: 10 twists that could shake things up
Continue reading...
Those in charge of personnel decisions in each of the 32 NFL front offices are always adapting as their draft strategies and plans are affected by every other team's picks.
But the draft doesn't happen in a vacuum, either. There's plenty of potential for news and transactions happening outside of the draft that drastically affect what happens for each team preparing to make a selection.
USA TODAY Sports has compiled 10 possible twists that could shake up the outlook of the 2025 NFL Draft, particularly if these surprises come before or during the first round on Thursday.
NFL DRAFT BUSTS: 50* biggest disappointments of last 50 years include 2021 QBs
10 twists that could shake up the 2025 NFL Draft
Falcons trade QB Kirk Cousins
A trade of the veteran quarterback is one of the transactions that is both semi-likely and very significant. Several teams have been tied to Cousins in trade talks, according to the latest news out of the pre-draft rumor mill. The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings have all been named as potential suitors by The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
Were Cousins to be traded to a quarterback-needy team like the Browns or Steelers, some of the young quarterback prospects in the draft will suddenly have a harder time finding a new home at the pro level.
Dolphins trade WR Tyreek Hill or CB Jalen Ramsey
Perhaps less likely than a Cousins trade, but a Dolphins trade of either or both players would still be a move that would change that outlook of the draft. Miami would find itself with big roster holes to fill at wide receiver or cornerback, while a receiving team would be able to focus on another point of weakness on the roster or pivot to selecting the best player available.
The Los Angeles Rams have been tied to Ramsey with general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay not shutting down any talk of a potential reunion. Meanwhile, other rumors have linked the Dallas Cowboys to a possible acquisition of Hill, who is also facing off-the-field controversy as his estranged wife alleges abuse in recent divorce filings.
Bengals trade DE Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati granted their star pass rusher permission to seek a trade in early March, but he remains on the roster as the first night of the NFL draft approaches. Perhaps the pressure cooker setting of the first round of the draft will be enough of a catalyst to get a transaction together for the disgruntled Hendrickson, who's coming off of back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons.
Neither general manager Duke Tobin nor head coach Zac Taylor had anything new to share regarding the defensive end in a pre-draft press conference on Monday.
Titans do not pick Miami (FL) QB Cam Ward
Ward is all but a lock to come off of the board with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. But what if he didn't? If the Titans went a different route or got a trade offer they couldn't refuse – even after saying earlier this week that they planned to hold onto the pick – it would certainly throw a wrench in the outcome of the first several picks of this year's draft.
There's nothing to outright indicate this is a possibility. In fact, there's plenty of evidence to the contrary. Ward is celebrating Fornite wins by saying "Titan Up" and complimenting Tennessee's offensive stars. Meanwhile, the front office seems to be on the same page about keeping the top pick. But a zig when everyone expects a zag would be something.
Quarterback-needy team trades up back into Round 1
This is among the most likely "twists" on this list. If the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants or New Orleans Saints do not select a quarterback with the first-round pick they're entering the draft with, there's a decent chance at least one of them tries to trade back up into the first round.
A trade back up would, in theory, give that team an extra year to work with on a quarterback prospect's rookie contract. Only first-round selections are eligible for fifth-year options, which are an invaluable tool for teams to use, especially on quarterbacks that can take a bit of extra "seasoning" at the pro level before they're fully developed as starters.
Injury concerns cause draft tumbles for star players (Penn State Edge Abdul Carter?)
Some late-breaking injury news could be heavily detrimental for a player's draft stock. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, in particular, has been dealing with injuries to his shoulder and foot during his pre-draft process. Those injuries prevented him from working out at the NFL combine and Penn State pro day.
Whether it's Carter or another player, injury concerns can cause a talented player to tumble within any of the seven rounds of the draft. If those injury issues emerge close to the draft or the night of, the outlook of the first round can change significantly.
Free agent QB Aaron Rodgers signs with a team
Once the Jets informed Rodgers they'd be releasing him, he became the highest profile free agent of the 2025 offseason. Yet the veteran still hasn't come to a decision on his next team, or whether he'll even play this season.
If Rodgers does sign during the draft, it will drastically shift the team needs of a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been heavily tied to the former Jet. Like with a potential Cousins trade, a Rodgers signing could cause further tumbles for quarterback prospects that already have a limited number of landing spots.
Off-the-field issues or concerns emerge
There have been a couple of very notable off-the-field concerns surrounding top prospects in recent years. During the NFL combine in 2023, a warrant for arrest emerged for then-Georgia prospect Jalen Carter after a revelation that he was involved in a street racing incident that ended in a fatal crash. In 2016, moments before that year's draft began, then-Mississippi prospect Laremy Tunsil posted a video of himself smoking from a bong through a gas mask.
Carter, widely considered one of the top athletes in his draft class, fell to the No. 9 overall pick. Tunsil, considered one of the top offensive tackles in his class, wasn't selected until No. 13 overall.
Anything could happen or emerge ahead of this year's draft, and it will be up to NFL front offices to decide how much late-breaking news affects draft outcomes.
Teams prioritizing best player available (BPA) over needs
Not only is this twist likely, it's almost certain to happen near the top of the draft. Both the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants – owners of the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks, respectively – are still seeking a franchise quarterback. However, signs are pointing to at least one of those two teams – if not both – passing on drafting one with their first-round pick.
That means some of the best athletes in the class – like Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter and edge rusher Abdul Carter – will come off of the board early while some of the top quarterback prospects (in an admittedly unimpressive class for the position) are waiting much longer to hear their names called.
Surprise trade down from one of the top picks (Browns, Giants)
Peter Schrager of ESPN reported Tuesday that the Browns and Giants were "fielding trade inquiries" for the No. 2 and No. 3 picks, respectively, in this year's draft. Whether Cleveland or New York make any moves back in reaction to those inquiries remains to be seen, but a trade back from a top-three pick would undoubtedly shake up the first round of the draft.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL Draft: 10 twists that could shake things up
Continue reading...
