2025 NFL mock draft: Chiefs, Cowboys trade into top 10, plus should we be concerned with Ashton Jeanty’s size?
Ashton Jeanty is the consensus top running back in the 2025 NFL Draft class. I’m not going to argue against it. As somebody who has followed Jeanty’s entire college career and included him on my Heisman ballot (though behind Travis Hunter), I do not need to be convinced about how good a player Jeanty is.
However, I do wonder if we’re all a little too sure.
Saquon Barkley just got paid, and we’re in a bit of a “Running backs are BACK!” narrative cycle. Is the success of the NFL’s top running backs having too much of an influence on how we view all running backs in the draft again? It’s possible, and it could be leading to there being too much stock put into the possibility of Jeanty being a high pick, but there’s another part of Jeanty’s profile I believe is being ignored a little too easily.
Jeanty didn’t compete in any drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he was measured. He came in at 5-feet-8 and 211 pounds. Here is a list of NFL running backs who were 5-feet-8 or shorter to amass at least 4,500 rushing yards in their career.
Barry Sanders
15,269
Third overall (1989)
Maurice Jones-Drew
8,167
60th overall (2006)
Joe Morris
5,585
45th overall (1982)
Devonta Freeman
4,720
103rd overall (2014)
That’s it. That’s the entire list. Four guys. Granted, one of them, Barry Sanders, may be the greatest running back of all-time. Then there’s Maurice Jones-Drew, who had an excellent career in his own right. But Barry Sanders was Barry Sanders. We throw the word generational around a lot, but Sanders truly met the criteria. As for MJD, he’s a much better comp for Jeanty because while he was an inch shorter, he weighed the same.
If you use a top-10 pick on Jeanty and get MJD, you’re probably happy with the pick. But would you be happy with it if you got Devonta Freeman’s career? What if you get Devin Singletary (74th overall, 2019), who is at 4,486 yards right now but has bounced around between three different teams?
I’m not here to tell you Jeanty will be a bust because I don’t believe that to be the case. All I’m trying to say is that if he isn’t, he’ll be an outlier. There’s far more risk here than we all seem to realize.
For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on “With the First Pick” — our year-round NFL Draft podcast with analyst Ryan Wilson. You can find “With the First Pick” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Listen to the latest episode below!
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place from April 25-27 in Detroit. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weekly updated draft order and a regularly available look at the eligible prospects.
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| Running backs 5-feet-8 and shorter | Career rushing yards | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
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Barry Sanders |
15,269 |
Third overall (1989) |
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Maurice Jones-Drew |
8,167 |
60th overall (2006) |
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Joe Morris |
5,585 |
45th overall (1982) |
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Devonta Freeman |
4,720 |
103rd overall (2014) |
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Round 1 – Pick 1
Maybe the injury concerns cause Abdul Carter to slide in the first round, but for now, I have a hard time seeing the Titans go in another direction that doesn’t involve trading out of this pick.
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Round 1 – Pick 2
The more tape I watch, the more convinced I become that Cam Ward is the only quarterback in the class I’m comfortable using a first-round pick on. Cleveland gets the reset it needs.
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Round 1 – Pick 3
My gut tells me the Giants will end up going the veteran QB route because there’s pressure to win now, so instead of reaching for a QB, they go with the guy who may be the best talent in the class. Having Travis Hunter primarily play corner, but mix him in on offense alongside Malik Nabers, would be a lot of fun.
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Round 1 – Pick 4
I’m not going to tell you arm length doesn’t matter at tackle, but I do wonder if we get too caught up in these measurements. Will Campbell’s arms handled life just fine in the SEC against a lot of guys who will be drafted behind him, and if it doesn’t work out in the long run, you’ll have to live with an All-Pro guard. Either way, the Pats need to invest in protecting Drake Maye.
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Round 1 – Pick 5
The weight issue is interesting, as Mason Graham measured in at 296 pounds in Indianapolis after being listed at 320 by Michigan. But is it interesting enough to hurt his draft stock given what he’s put on tape through his entire career? I doubt it.
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Round 1 – Pick 6
I do not believe this to be an impressive WR class overall, but Tetairoa McMillan is a very intriguing prospect given his size and athleticism. I compare him to Tee Higgins, as he has the ability to be a true No. 1, which the Raiders can certainly use.
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Round 1 – Pick 7
Nothing about what Shemar Stewart did at the combine surprised me. He’s an athletic freak. Here’s the question: Can the Jets tap into the incredible athleticism and turn him into a player whose production matches his ability?
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Mock Trade from
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 – Pick 8
The Chiefs have serious issues at tackle and cash in a lot of chips to move up and address the issue with Armand Membou. Their championship window will be open as long as they have Patrick Mahomes, but with Travis Kelce coming back, this is something of an “all-in” move for the current roster.
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Mock Trade from
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 – Pick 9
Clearly the Cowboys aren’t concerned about his size in this mock! I don’t know. The Cowboys have been way too quiet this offseason and it feels like they’re due to do something big. Trading up to get Ashton Jeanty would qualify, particularly for a sports city that could use something to be happy about.
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Round 1 – Pick 10
The Bears have already addressed both starting guard spots through trades, and I’m not convinced they feel they need to make a move at tackle, though they might. However, here I have them addressing a pass rush that was a major problem for them last season.
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Round 1 – Pick 11
Truth be told, I like Walter Nolen better than Darius Alexander, but I had Nolen here in my last mock, so I’m switching it up a bit! Alexander had a very impressive combine, and I know there are some teams who are extremely high on him.
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Mock Trade from
Dallas Cowboys
Round 1 – Pick 12
The Saints move down from the top 10, pick up additional assets and then address their pass rush with Jalon Walker. It’s a team with a lot of needs, though, so they could go any number of directions.
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Round 1 – Pick 13
I have to imagine the Dolphins would be pretty happy if this scenario plays out and Kelvin Banks Jr. falls into their laps. I have questions about his ability as a run-blocker, but a lot of what Banks did with the Longhorns meshes with what he’ll be asked to do in Miami.
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Round 1 – Pick 14
If Will Johnson had played the entire 2024 season, I’m convinced his stock would be much higher than it is. If I’m the Colts and he’s still on the board, I’m picking up the phone very quickly.
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Round 1 – Pick 15
When James Pearce Jr. ran the 40-yard dash in a hoodie because he forgot his workout shirt in his hotel room, I received a text from somebody familiar with Pearce that “neither his performance or forgetting his shirt is a surprise.” The Falcons desperately need help in their pass rush, so they take someone extremely qualified to help, and perhaps they can show Pearce how to put reminders in his phone.
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Round 1 – Pick 16
If I were basing my mocks off nothing but my personal draft board, Walter Nolen would be a top-10 pick. I might even have him go on the top five. I’m that high on him. So congratulations to Arizona for this pretend pick. You’ve hit a home run here.
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Round 1 – Pick 17
I certainly understand what it is about Derrick Harmon that teams like, but I’m a bit underwhelmed when I watch the tape. Still, everything I hear from people more connected than I am suggests NFL front offices feel a lot differently, so I’ll continue mocking him in the first until I hear otherwise.
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Round 1 – Pick 18
The intel I’ve heard in recent weeks is that teams who were high on this tackle class coming into the spring have found themselves souring on it overall. That said, it’s still an important position, and we’ll see players go in the first round. But perhaps we’ll see more variance in who is selected than mocks suggest, and Aireontae is a prospect I can see a team falling for.
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Round 1 – Pick 19
Jahdae Barron is a good corner, but the knock on him will be his size. He isn’t tall, and he doesn’t have great length. You don’t see many corners with his profile going much earlier than this in the first round lately.
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Round 1 – Pick 20
I think Tyler Warren’s draft position could vary wildly. I won’t be shocked if he goes in the top 10, but if he doesn’t, I can see him falling, too. But falling past 20? Given what I know of Sean Payton, I doubt it.
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Round 1 – Pick 21
As mentioned earlier, Cam Ward is the lone QB in this class I think is worth a first-round pick, but it’s not a knock on Shedeur Sanders. I believe he’s is the most NFL-ready prospect in the class. What I don’t know is how much room for growth is left here?
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Round 1 – Pick 22
Jim Harbaugh will have plenty of familiarity with Kenneth Grant, who is an excellent athlete and productive player at a position of need for the Chargers.
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Round 1 – Pick 23
The Packers have talent at WR, but how many truly reliable players do they have at the position? Luther Burden III would be tremendous value for Green Bay here.
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Round 1 – Pick 24
Malaki Starks did not have a great performance at the combine, and it could work to Minnesota’s benefit here. There are some positions where you want an incredible athlete, and there are others where you want smart football players who might only be very good athletes. Safety falls into the latter for me.
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Round 1 – Pick 25
I have a crush on Tyler Booker, and I won’t apologize for it. He isn’t an athletic freak, but he’s an absolute mauler who plays without fear and never takes a play off. A good player and culture guy.
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Round 1 – Pick 26
Now that we know Matthew Stafford will be back, the Rams move on to making sure he has the requisite weapons to succeed, and Colston Loveland is the type of tight end Sean McVay could have a lot of fun with.
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Round 1 – Pick 27
As a Chicago Bears fan, I had long hoped Landon Jackson would be somebody they could take early in the second round, but the combine may have crushed those hopes. He’s big, long and a tremendous athlete. He was also productive in college. He’s everything you look for in an edge prospect and should be a first-round pick.
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Round 1 – Pick 28
OK, so I’ve had Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer here in each of my first two mocks because it seems like a match made in heaven, but Mike Green has a higher ceiling and would be the better value late in the first for a Detroit team that needs a second pass-rusher.
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Round 1 – Pick 29
Trading for Deebo Samuel pushes wide receiver down the list of Washington’s needs, and while offensive line makes sense here, too, Revel is a great corner prospect who saw his 2024 season cut short due to an ACL injury. But he should be ready for the 2025 season, and Washington needs help in the secondary.
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Round 1 – Pick 30
Jihaad Campbell was my top linebacker in the class going into the combine, and that ranking was only solidified by his performance in Indianapolis. He would make a lot of sense for the Buffalo defense.
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Mock Trade from
Kansas City Chiefs
Round 1 – Pick 31
The Panthers got plenty of additional assets by trading with the Chiefs, and will use those picks to build around a young team. One way to help Bryce Young would be surrounding him with weapons, and Emeka Egbuka is the epitome of a winning football player.
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Round 1 – Pick 32
Continuously adding monsters to the lines of scrimmage seems to be Philadelphia’s motto. Donovan Ezeiruaku is a bit undersized, but it’s mitigated by his length and athleticism.
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Rams 2025 free agency tracker: Offseason moves, signings
NFL free agency is set to begin, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2025 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins March 12 at 4 p.m. ET, and free agent signings can then become official. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 on ESPN.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2025 NFL free agent signing by the Los Angeles Rams and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Adams agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
What it means: The Rams are building a high-powered offense next season behind quarterback Matthew Stafford, running back Kyren Williams and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Adams. After three injury-plagued seasons for wide receiver Cooper Kupp, this signing signals the end of his tenure with Los Angeles. Rams general manager Les Snead indicated the team was exploring adding a veteran to the receivers room during free agency and Adams brings that and more as one of the best receivers of the last decade. It will be hard to find a better one-two punch at receiver than Nacua and Adams in 2025.
What’s the risk: With only $26 million guaranteed over the two-year deal, the Rams are paying Adams below the rate that elite receivers are expected to re-sign for this offseason. It’s not a cheap deal for the Rams and Adams but the $23 million average salary per season is easy for the Rams to pay a veteran receiver who is showing no signs of slowing down.
Sean McVay joins Pat McAfee to discuss Matthew Stafford’s return to the Los Angeles Rams. (2:26)
LOS ANGELES — Less than two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford were still working through contract negotiations, leaving many questions about what Sean McVay’s offense would look like in 2025.
The Rams agreed to an adjusted contract with Stafford last week, then got the attention of the league Sunday by coming to terms with wide receiver Davante Adams on a two-year contract worth $46 million. Suddenly the Rams — with plenty of cap space left to spend in free agency, and the draft still ahead — have established themselves as the favorites in the NFC West. And, after taking the Eagles down to the wire in the toughest game of Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run, Los Angeles suddenly looks like an even stronger contender in the NFC.
Within the division, the 49ers must prepare for quarterback Brock Purdy’s new contract and look likely to lose more than they’ll gain this offseason — they already took steps toward reworking their roster by trading receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders earlier in the month — and the Seattle Seahawks just traded their starting quarterback in Geno Smith and No. 1 wideout in DK Metcalf. The third-place Arizona Cardinals started strong before fading quickly last season and remain something of an unknown.
That leaves the Rams in a prime position to repeat as division champions with an offense led by Stafford, running back Kyren Williams and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Adams. Los Angeles already informed wide receiver Cooper Kupp of its intent to trade him, and while general manager Les Snead said last week that the “least likely” scenario was that Kupp would be back on the roster in 2025, Adams’ addition cements that even further.
Before the start of the window in which the Rams can negotiate with pending free agents, they not only added Adams but also re-signed left tackle Alaric Jackson to a three-year deal and wide receiver Tutu Atwell to a one-year contract.
The Rams, who won the NFC West in 2024, also return the majority of their young defense, a group that took big strides during the season under defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
The defense, without future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald, was largely built through the past two drafts. Before the Adams addition, Over the Cap had the Rams with $45 million in cap space — and that includes Kupp’s nearly $30 million cap hit in 2025. It also does not take into account Stafford’s adjusted contract.
Adams has been a consistent contributor during his 11 NFL seasons, and his 103 receiving touchdowns are the 10th most in NFL history. According to ESPN Research, Adams has recorded 1,000 receiving yards in five straight seasons, which is tied for the second-longest active streak in the NFL.
The veteran receiver has also had a lot of success in the red zone, something the Rams struggled with last season. According to ESPN Research, the Rams ranked 25th in red zone touchdown percentage last season. Over the past five seasons, Adams has caught 40 red zone touchdowns, which is five more than any other player.
In late January, days after the Rams lost to the Eagles in the playoffs, McVay was asked what he wanted his offense to look like next season. The “biggest thing,” he said, was “a little bit more versatility.” McVay pointed to the lack of continuity the Rams’ offense had last season because of injuries but said, “You can’t allow that to inhibit us the way that it did.”
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“I could go on and on about the variety of things that I’m excited about attacking to hopefully avoid some of the pitfalls that we had throughout the year to ultimately lead to more consistent production and play regardless of whatever our injury situation is,” McVay said.
While signing Adams isn’t the only answer needed to have a more consistent offense in 2025, the addition is a strong start before the beginning of the new league year Wednesday.
Check out the stats behind Seahawks WR DK Metcalf being traded to the Steelers. (1:03)
PITTSBURGH — The Steelers cannonballed into free agency Sunday night, acquiring wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks for a 2025 second-round draft pick and agreeing to a five-year, $150 million extension, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Steelers and Seahawks also are flipping 2025 picks in the sixth and seventh rounds, sources said.
Metcalf, 27, a second-round pick in 2019, requested a trade Wednesday as he entered the final year of a three-year, $72 million extension signed in 2022. He previously had one year left on his contract worth $18 million, but the Steelers worked quickly to secure their new wideout to a deal worth $30 million annually.
That figure puts him in rare air among wide receivers and among Steelers free agents. Only six other wideouts have contracts currently valued for at least $30 million annually, and before Metcalf’s extension, the most the Steelers had spent on an outside free agent was linebacker Patrick Queen’s three-year, $41 million contract signed last free agency.
Metcalf’s trade comes only a few days after the Seahawks dealt quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. Following both trades, the Seahawks have five picks in the first three rounds of the 2025 draft: Nos. 18, 50, 52 (via Pittsburgh), 82 and 92 (via Las Vegas).
In Metcalf, the Steelers finally landed their long-sought-after big-play pass catcher to round out a wide receiver room that lacked depth and star power behind 2022 second-round pick George Pickens. Metcalf averaged 15.0 yards per reception and 66.1 yards per game in 2024, collecting 66 receptions, 992 receiving yards and a career-low five touchdowns.
Metcalf was more productive in the first six games of the season, averaging nine targets. But after hurting an MCL in Week 7, Metcalf missed two games and averaged just under six targets per game over the rest of the campaign.
Since the Seahawks traded up to snag Metcalf out of Ole Miss with the final pick of the second round in 2019, the big-bodied wideout has averaged 1,054 receiving yards and eight touchdowns per season along with 14.4 yards per reception. Meanwhile, Pickens — the Steelers’ top receiver — averaged 64.3 yards per game and 15.3 yards per catch in 2024 during his third season in Pittsburgh. He also caught three touchdowns in an injury-shortened season.
Steelers wide receivers George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and DK Metcalf finished in the top 10 among 138 qualified players in yards per reception in 2024.
Pickens is eligible for an extension this offseason as he enters the last year of his rookie deal, and general manager Omar Khan expressed a desire to keep the mercurial wide receiver in Pittsburgh when he spoke with reporters at the NFL combine less than two weeks ago.
“I can tell you that he has a desire to be great,” Khan said of Pickens, via the team’s website. “He has a desire to be great here. We have a desire for him to be great and to be great here with respect to the contract. But you know, we won’t discuss that publicly, and usually those things are addressed at a later date.”
The next-most productive wideout on the Steelers’ 2024 roster was fellow 2022 draft pick Calvin Austin III, who averaged 15.2 yards per reception and finished the season with just 548 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
The Steelers’ pursuit of a top-tier wide receiver dates back to the previous offseason, when they were in the mix for the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk, however, opted to remain in San Francisco with a four-year, $120 million deal. The Steelers also landed wide receiver Mike Williams at the trade deadline from the New York Jets for a 2025 fifth-round pick, but Williams wasn’t a major contributor after a game-winning catch against the Washington Commanders less than a week after being traded.
Though the Steelers significantly upgraded their wide receiver room with the Metcalf acquisition, they still don’t have a quarterback under contract for the 2025 season. Both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are slated to be free agents when the new league year opens Wednesday afternoon, and sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Fields wants to test the market before making an informed decision.
Wilson and Metcalf both starred together in Seattle, with Wilson serving as Metcalf’s quarterback for the first three seasons of his career.
The Jets also have expressed interest in Fields, the former Chicago Bears first-round pick, sources indicated to Fowler. Khan told reporters at the NFL combine that Pittsburgh’s top priority was sorting out the quarterback position; but Metcalf requested a trade earlier this week, expediting the Steelers’ roster-building timeline.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson contributed to this report.
ESPN
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Seahawks to re-sign key LB Jones, source says
3hBrady Henderson
Deep Ball Receivers
| Yards/Rec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alec Pierce | 22.3 | |
| Jameson Williams | 17.3 | |
| Rashod Bateman | 16.8 | |
| A.J. Brown | 16.1 | |
| Calvin Ridley | 15.9 | |
| Jayden Reed | 15.6 | |
| Darnell Mooney | 15.5 | |
| >>George Pickens | 15.3 | |
| >>Calvin Austin III | 15.2 | |
| >>DK Metcalf | 15.0 | |
| Josh Palmer | 15.0 | |
| >>Now on Steelers | ||
NFL free agency 2025 live updates: DK Metcalf, Josh Allen contracts, recent deals, rumors and analysis
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Welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of the 2025 free agency period. From the latest news to signings, blockbuster trades and more, The Athletic’s NFL beat reporters have you covered as the new league year begins.
Stay tuned to this blog as Monday’s negotiation period kicks off a busy week.
Required reading
It’s hard to say how appealing the Giants would be to Aaron Rodgers, because they seemingly have a ways to go before they are ready to contend. But the Giants certainly need a quarterback after ending the Daniel Jones experiment last season and swinging and missing at Matthew Stafford. Could Rodgers be the answer? A young receiver like Malik Nabers does make New York a little more attractive.
GO FURTHER
NFL free agency 2025 predictions: One top target for every team
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Giants free-agent predictions: Who will be back, who will leave in 2025?
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Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews, 33, was set to count $21.7 million against the 2025 cap, but the extension will diminish his cap hit ahead of free agency.
Read more on the deal here
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Falcons extend left tackle Jake Matthews with 2-year deal: Source
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Stefon Diggs’ lone season with the Texans came to an abrupt end with a Week 8 torn ACL. He was putting up solid numbers (47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns), so the Texans would do well to bring him back to help ensure continuity for C.J. Stroud. The Texans have plenty of needs and limited cap space, but Diggs would check a big box.
Go Further for more free agency predictions
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NFL free agency 2025 predictions: One top target for every team
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The night before the free-agency negotiating window opened, the Patriots got a jump on filling two of their biggest needs.
They made their first splash of the Mike Vrabel era by reuniting the head coach with a linebacker who shined under him as a pass rusher but didn’t match that success last season with the Tennessee Titans.
The Pats signed Harold Landry to a three-year, $43.5 million contract with $26 million guaranteed, according to a league source, a move to bolster their pass rush. Landry notched 12 sacks in 2021 and 10.5 in 2023 while playing for Vrabel. He can be a do-it-all linebacker, but his specialty is getting after the passer. Last season, the Patriots ranked last in the NFL in sacks.
The Patriots also re-signed tight end Austin Hooper to a one-year, $5 million deal, which means tight end is no longer such a major position of need. The Pats have Hunter Henry as their top option at the position with Hooper behind him. Both were trusted receivers for Drake Maye a year ago.
Mike Vrabel and Harold Landry reunite:
The Patriots are signing Landry to a 3 year deal for 43.5M with $26M fully guaranteed, per source.
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The Broncos believe they have found their long-term quarterback in Bo Nix. But even the best signal-callers need a steady backup.
Denver on Sunday agreed to a two-year contract extension with Jarrett Stidham, who will return as the team’s backup for a third straight season. The move will keep an important sounding board in place for Nix, who routinely expressed appreciation last year for how much Stidham and fellow reserve Zach Wilson helped him navigate his rookie season as Denver’s starting quarterback.
Stidham originally signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Broncos as a free agent in 2023. He started the final two games of that season as the Broncos prepared to move on from Russell Wilson. Stidham competed for the starting job in camp last season that ultimately went to Nix.
Wilson, who was acquired by the Broncos in a trade just before last April’s draft and served as Denver’s No. 3 quarterback last season, is expected to test the market when free agency’s negotiating period opens Monday. (edited)
I’m told the Packers never made an offer to the Seahawks for DK Metcalf, contrary to multiple reports. Brian Gutekunst and John Schneider are good friends from their time together in Green Bay, but a deal between the two for Metcalf was never a realistic possibility.
Omar Khan said at the combine he wanted to get the QB in place first, because that might impact the type of WR the Steelers targeted.
Now, it could work the other way. Having DK Metcalf on the roster makes Pittsburgh a much more appealing destination for a QB, I’d think.
It worked out perfectly for DK Metcalf.
DK gets his wish to play somewhere warm with a stable QB situation. https://t.co/YDhx4B6v3y
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If you needed a reminder, The Athletic’s post-Super Bowl NFL power rankings give you an idea of where everyone stands as we head into free agency. Here are the top five:
Read more here for the rest of the list
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Early 2025 NFL Power Rankings: Where do Eagles, Chiefs stand after Super Bowl?
The Steelers are sending a 2025 second-round pick to Seattle in exchange for WR DK Metcalf.
Pittsburgh will sign Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million extension, per source.
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What will the DK Metcalf acquisition do for the Steelers’ QB situation?
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Steelers and Jets are interested in signing Justin Fields.
Another big trade, perhaps the biggest, before Monday’s negotiating period opens.
The Steelers trade for WR DK Metcalf.
Trade!
Seattle is trading two-time Pro-Bowl WR DK Metcalf to the Steelers, per sources. pic.twitter.com/9Dl9soNnJS
Josh Allen’s new deal with Buffalo includes $250 million guaranteed, the largest for a player in NFL history.
Read more here
🧨The Bills and Josh Allen have reached agreement on a six-year, $330 million extension that includes a record $250 million guaranteed, per sources. pic.twitter.com/MxxtlVfmKU
We’ve reached an agreement on a new deal with MVP QB Josh Allen that will keep him in Buffalo through 2030‼️https://t.co/t1htWa13YZ | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/gBovXO6Ue9
Jamien Sherwood was a backup going into the 2024 season for the Jets. A year later, and with a team MVP award under his belt, he just became one of the five highest-paid linebackers in the NFL after agreeing to re-sign with the Jets for $45 million ($30 million of it guaranteed) on a three-year deal.
It was a fast rise for Sherwood, who was drafted by the Jets in 2021 as a safety out of Auburn but transitioned to linebacker in Robert Saleh’s defense. He spent his first three seasons mostly as a backup to Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosley and developing as a linebacker — and now the Jets have made it clear they value him more than both of those players. Mosley was limited to four games last season due to injuries, so Sherwood started 16 of 17 games and finished among the league leaders in total tackles (158) and first in solo tackles (98) while adding two sacks, three pass deflections and two QB hits.
He was expected to garner significant interest in free agency but the Jets’ new regime — led by coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey — clearly prioritized keeping Sherwood as a centerpiece of the defense. He’s only 25, coming off a breakout season; considering it was his first as a starter, he has room to grow too.
This does raise the question about what it means for the other two aforementioned linebackers. Williams signed a three-year, $18 million deal in 2023 and quickly outplayed that contract, earning All-Pro honors in 2023. Now he’s in the last year of his deal and it would be fair to expect he might want a new contract. Mosley could retire, though it’s unclear if he intends to. If he does, he’s a candidate to be cut with a post-June 1 designation.
Jamien Sherwood is re-signing with the Jets, per @AdamSchefter.
Jets lock him in before anyone could outbid them. 25, ascending player and a leader.
Jamien Sherwood will be getting $15M per year on his new contract. Big first investment for Darren Mougey.
By comparison: Quincy Williams signed a three year, $18M deal (total) in 2023 — and he’s in the last year of his contract now. Would expect he wants a new deal.
The Rams make the Davante Adams news official.
Going, going, back, back to Cali, Cali.
Welcome, @tae15adams! 👏 pic.twitter.com/2dxwXPMWET
DE Harold Landry is signing with the Patriots for three years, $43.5M (up to $48M) including $26M fully guaranteed, per source.
Former Jets WR Davante Adams intends to sign with the Los Angeles Rams, a source tells The Athletic.
Adams signs with the Rams for two years, $46 million and includes $26 million guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/wGsldfrQLo
The Rams are signing receiver Davante Adams to a two-year deal, a league source confirms. @RapSheet on it first.
March 10-12 — Negotiating period
March 12 —The 2025 league year and free agency signing period begin at 4 p.m. ET
March 30-April 2 — Annual League Meeting (Palm Beach, Fla.)
April 7 — Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2024 regular season may begin offseason workout programs
April 18 —Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 21 — Teams with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs
April 23 — Deadline for prior team to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets; Deadline for teams to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location
April 24-26 — NFL Draft, Green Bay, Wis.
The Seahawks are expected to talk with Aaron Rodgers about their QB vacancy, per source.
Rodgers is free to meet with interested teams as the QB carousel continues to spin on the eve of free agency.
