🐺 Wolf Sports Weekly

Draft week!

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Wolf Sports
April 22, 2025

Let’s go! The 2025 NFL Draft begins this Thursday at 8:00 PM ET.

Be sure to keep an eye on wolfsports.com for our final big board releasing on Wednesday. All rankings and scouting reports are currently locked, but we have proven to have the most accurate draft analysis in the media (as the latest example, remember what many said about Bo Nix this time last year)—and everything will be unlocked following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. If you’re looking for trusted insight on the newest players on your favorite team, check out our big board when it’s unlocked for clickable scouting reports on the top 100 players.

Many 2025 NFL mock drafts are incredibly chalky, with the same top eight picks coming up often around the internet. So, we thought it’d make sense to do a mock that is realistic but doesn’t stick to that consensus top eight. This includes the Patriots not selecting Will Campbell No. 4 overall, and Ashton Jeanty slipping past both the Jaguars and Raiders. Our final mock will be published on wolfsports.com on Thursday.

1. TEN: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
It’s not like they’ve said much publicly, but it’s no secret the Titans intend to take Miami QB Cam Ward with the top pick in the draft.

2. CLE: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
There was some intrigue throughout the process, but the Browns—from the coaching staff eager to utilize Hunter to the analytics side loving the value of getting someone who can play on both sides of the ball—appear to be locked in on Travis Hunter.

3. NYG: Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
Things could potentially get crazy here if a team gets aggressive for a trade-up late, or if the Giants decide to take QB Shedeur Sanders. Odds are New York just goes with Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter.

4. NE: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia
No. 4 is likely where things have a chance to get wild. LSU OL Will Campbell would be somewhat of a boring pick many are projecting as chalk, but Georgia star defender Jalon Walker should not be counted out. He can help the Patriots attempt to match up with Josh Allen in the division.

5. JAX: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Ashton Jeanty is very popular here and ultimately might be the guy. But there was some buzz early in the draft process for Tetairoa McMillan going to the Jags—and that’s now picked back up for draft week. If he has protection, Trevor Lawrence can light it up throwing to Brian Thomas Jr. and McMillan.

6. LV: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Jeanty will be in the mix here, too, along with Texas DB Jahdae Barron. The new regime for the Raiders might want to start by strengthening the trenches with Armand Membou.

7. NYJ: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Barron is also expected to be in the discussion for the Jets, but Tyler Warren feels like a tough, gritty, productive pick for the offensive side of the ball if they go that route. The impressive TE would make things easier on Justin Fields.

8. DEN (mock trade via CAR): Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State 
The Broncos might try as high as No. 4 to get Jeanty, but they’d have a very realistic shot if the Boise State RB drops past the Jaguars and Raiders and makes it to No. 8. Carolina has wanted to trade back, and it sounds like Denver is plotting a massive leap up the board to add a superstar weapon in Jeanty.

🏈 Retirements lead latest player news

Longtime Cowboys LT Tyron Smith, who spent last season with the Jets, officially retired after signing a one-day contract with Dallas.

  • Smith is yet another member of the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2010s to retire this offseason.

  • He was named a First-team All-Pro twice in his career (2014, 2016).

  • The No. 9 pick out out of USC in the loaded 2011 NFL Draft dealt with injuries throughout his career, but he still has a very strong Hall of Fame case and is expected to be enshrined at some point.

Saints OT Ryan Ramczyk is also retiring, with the former All-Pro ending his career at 30 after missing last season due to injury. Ramczyk was drafted by New Orleans in one of the best draft classes of all-time—a haul that included Ramczyk, CB Marshon Lattimore, S Marcus Williams, RB Alvin Kamara, LB Alex Anzalone, and DE Trey Hendrickson.

Reunion: The Bills brought back CB Tre’Davious White after a year away from the team spent with the Rams and the Ravens. White led the NFL in interceptions and was a First-team All-Pro for Buffalo in 2019.

Fifth-year options: The Jets are exercising fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders CB Sauce Gardner, WR Garrett Wilson, and DE Jermaine Johnson II.

Released: The Titans moved on from OT Nicholas Petit-Frere, a third-round pick in the 2022 draft.

🧐 Aaron Rodgers opens up

Free agent QB Aaron Rodgers went on The Pat McAfee Show to discuss what’s going on with his career. For a brief recap:

  • Rodgers mentioned he has some personal things going on with his inner circle and doesn’t think it’s right to commit to a team yet, but that the Steelers remain a possibility.

  • He said money is not an issue and he’d play for $10 million.

  • The future Hall of Famer clearly enjoyed the time he spent with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, as well as WR DK Metcalf during their throwing session.

  • But what made the most news was his side of the parting of ways with the Jets—including an imitation of new Jets HC Aaron Glenn and how the meeting went.

The purpose of Rodgers’ appearance from his perspective appeared to be clearing the air: He’s not signed anywhere yet because of personal off-field things, he is not looking for a massive contract, and he is not a fan of Aaron Glenn and the new Jets regime.

⬇️ More NFL news and notes

The Commanders and Washington, D.C., are close to a $3 billion deal for a new stadium at the old RFK Stadium site.

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, who is expected to go No. 2 overall to the Browns, says he’d rather stop playing football than be limited to one side of the ball.

And the projected No. 1 pick to the Titans, Miami QB Cam Ward, was hilarious on a video game livestream, saying Titans HC Brian Callahan is the best coach in the league, Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are the best RBs, and that Calvin Ridley is the best WR with Treylon Burks at No. 4.

Bears QB Caleb Williams told Esquire that he doesn’t want to be friends with other players around the league because they’re supposed to be rivals.

Former Browns RB Nick Chubb looks good in the weight room, squatting over 500 pounds while coming off last season’s foot injury. He remains a free agent.

Eagles QB and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts was named to the TIME100 as one of the most influential people of 2025.

Khyree Jackson’s parents launched the Khyree Jackson Foundation after their son tragically passed away after getting drafted by the Vikings last year.

Other Sports Updates

🫡 Legendary College GameDay analyst Lee Corso is retiring after 38 years, and he’ll make his final headgear pick on August 30.

🏆 WrestleMania 41 was headlined by a heel John Cena winning a record 17th WWE Championship in the main event.

🐻 Former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava has officially transferred to UCLA.

🏈 In an effort to stop fake injuries in college football, an NCAA rule change will charge teams a timeout if a player goes down with an injury after the ball is spotted.

⚾️ Dodger Stadium will host Olympic Baseball in 2028.

🏎️ NFL legend Rob Gronkowski will be the Snake Pit Grand Marshal for the Indy 500 on May 25.

🐺 Found on wolfsports.com