Russini’s what I’m hearing, draft edition: The buzz about Giants, Sanders and the QB2 race
20 things I’m hearing about Round 1
1.) The Browns, Giants and Patriots are fielding calls for the Nos. 2, 3, and 4 picks, per league sources. The majority of teams looking to move up see Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter as their target should they be able to entice one of those teams, particularly Cleveland, with a suitable package. All three teams are listening.
2.) The New York Giants called the Tennessee Titans multiple times with offers to move up to the No. 1 pick. They were the most aggressive of the teams that reached out to new Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi.
3.) Sources say the Browns and the Giants, who own the first two picks of the second round, are in trade talks with teams at the back end of the first round. If either team trades up, the expectation is that it would be to select a quarterback (more on that later).
4.) The Patriots, armed with the No. 4 pick, know they have a lot of needs, and while the prospect of trading up to draft Hunter or Penn State edge Abdul Carter is appealing, New England understands the importance of building a solid foundation — and how vital draft picks are to doing it. Expect Eliot Wolf, Mike Vrabel and company to use their top selection to beef up their offensive line, and attempt to plug other holes throughout the draft.
5.) The Jaguars (5) and Raiders (6) have expressed interest in moving up, I’m told, if the player they want is available. In fact, I was told the Jaguars are hoping to keep this draft “electric” with the first-year tandem of head coach Liam Coen and GM James Gladstone, and an offensive player is on their radar. Jacksonville is also open to moving out for the right trade offer.
6.) Most of the teams picking in the top 10, outside of Tennessee, have discussed trading out and are open to more discussions with teams as we get closer to Thursday night.
7.) The Raiders, led by first-time general manager John Spytek, spent substantial time doing homework on Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, but strong cases are being made in their draft room to go offensive line instead.
8.) Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio has made at least three draft-day trades every year and 18 total trades since becoming the team’s GM in 2021. His most notable move came in 2023, selecting C.J. Stroud second before swinging big and trading up to No. 3 to take Will Anderson Jr. Whether it’s jockeying up or down the board, Houston has shown a willingness to deal under Caserio — don’t expect that to change in 2025. The Texans have been actively making calls about a potential move up, so don’t be surprised if Houston makes a jump on Thursday night.
9.) The Bears have been linked to Jeanty for weeks, and they are hoping they can snag him at 10.
10.) The Falcons are focused on building up their defense with pass rushers — Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. and Marshall’s Mike Green are in play for Atlanta.
11.) Don’t expect the same kind of fireworks from the Broncos, one year after they took Bo Nix. Sean Payton does fall in love with players, but the sense I get right now is that Denver is comfortable with sticking at pick No. 20 and selecting the player they want — or trading back. I heard they love some of the running backs, but not enough to move up.
12.) Many sources around the league expect the Cowboys to target an offensive skill position with the No. 12 pick. Texas WR Matthew Golden and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan are names that I’m hearing could interest Dallas.
13.) Tight end Tyler Warren was Penn State’s Swiss Army knife in 2024, but what type of role could he have in a Justin Fields-led offense? Expect the Jets to have interest in tight ends, including the Mackey Award winner, with the No. 7 pick.
14.) The San Francisco 49ers are expected to stick and pick, hoping for an edge rusher.
15.) The Vikings are interested in trading back to recoup more draft capital. They only have four picks in this draft right now.
16.) Expect the Rams to once again show interest in a tight end in the first round. Last year, Los Angeles tried — and failed — to move up to select Brock Bowers. I’m told Sean McVay and Les Snead could once again try to move up to get their guy.
17.) The Chiefs could be interested in moving up a couple of slots, depending on the price.
18.) The Dolphins are open to trading down.
19.) Players who could be traded during the draft include QBs Kirk Cousins, Aidan O’Connell, Will Levis and Sam Howell.
20.) The Browns, Steelers and possibly Vikings could be involved in a Cousins trade. Minnesota is looked at as the least likely scenario, given their preference for J.J. McCarthy and that Cousins would need to sign off on any trade he is involved in. It’s believed that Cousins would be against any trade that involves sending him to a situation involving a young QB, similar to the situation he faced in Atlanta last year. If a trade were to happen, I’d expect it to go down on Saturday.
Continued at the link below…
Plus, the Aaron Rodgers factor, the latest on Purdy and Kittle, 20 notes on Round 1 and much more.
www.nytimes.com