2025 NFL Draft: Running analysis, insights for Day 3
theScore's football editors offer their insights from the most notable moves, emerging trends, and interesting picks throughout Rounds 4-7 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
6th-round QB run continues
Kyle McCord wasn't the only developmental quarterback taken in Round 6. The Steelers added Ohio State passer Will Howard with the 185th pick, while Notre Dame signal-caller Riley Leonard went four picks later. Neither of these players will be looked at with starting expectations, but they're good value here. The uncertainty of Pittsburgh's and Indianapolis' long-term solution at quarterback only emphasizes why these selections are valuable lottery tickets. Interestingly enough, Texas passer Quinn Ewers was not part of this run of passers taken in the sixth round. - Daniel Valente
Eagles add to QB factory
The reigning Super Bowl champions used a sixth-round pick to add more quarterback depth behind Jalen Hurts. Philadelphia took Syracuse passer Kyle McCord on Saturday, bringing an interesting prospect to a depth chart that also features Tanner McKee and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. McCord's gunslinger style could make him an interesting backup in the NFL. - Caio Miari
SEC makes history
Before the seventh round even began, a total of 65 players from the SEC were drafted, already tying the record for the most picks from a conference in the same NFL draft. This will mark the 19th straight year in which the SEC has had more players selected than any other league. - Caio Miari
Eagles loading up on defense
The Eagles finished the 2024 season with the league's No. 1 defense in yards and second-ranked scoring unit. They clearly weren't satisfied by finishing behind the Chargers in points allowed, as they've selected five consecutive defenders to start their class. Philly also added another data point to one of its trends, drafting Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. in the fifth round. Mondon is the sixth Bulldog the franchise has drafted since 2022. - Andrew Dixon
Rams love RBs
Sean McVay's outfit took former Auburn tailback Jarquez Hunter in Round 4, marking the eighth straight draft in which the Rams chose a running back. That's the longest streak in the NFL since Washington did so from 2011-20. Cam Akers (52nd overall) was L.A.'s highest-drafted runner in that span, but Kyren Williams is the most notable one. Williams, a fifth-round pick in 2022, has scored 31 scrimmage touchdowns in the past two seasons. - Caio Miari
Browns end Shedeur's free-fall
Cleveland traded up to end Shedeur Sanders' shocking draft fall in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick. He was the sixth quarterback off the board, going after Day 2 selections Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel, the last of whom also went to the Browns. It'll be interesting to see how the QB competition in Cleveland develops.
With Deshaun Watson unlikely to play in 2025 due to injury, Cleveland will start its offseason activities with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders on the depth chart. This battle looks wide open and either rookie could legitimately win it. - Caio Miari
Vikings trade for a McCarthy backup
Vikings considered Aaron Rodgers and even a reported trade to reunite with Kirk Cousins. They could also have drafted a rookie QB. Instead, Minnesota made a deal with Seattle to acquire Sam Howell, who presumably will serve as the team's backup behind second-year passer J.J. McCarthy. Howell has 18 NFL starts under his belt, 17 of which came in 2023 in his only year as a starter in Washington. He backed up Geno Smith last year. - Caio Miari
A new weapon for Mahomes
After getting Mahomes an offensive lineman in Round 1, the Chiefs went back to the well on offense in Round 4, drafting Utah State receiver Jalen Royals. There's some good value in Royals, who joins a Kansas City receiving corps that will return a healthy Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown, plus Xavier Worthy entering his second year. Royals can operate on all three levels of the field, and he gives Mahomes another pass-catcher to throw to. - Daniel Valente
Chubb on outside looking in with Browns
It looks like Nick Chubb's time in Cleveland could be over. The Browns have doubled up on running backs at the draft, selecting Dylan Sampson with the 126th pick after taking Quinshon Judkins at No. 36. While NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Chubb and the Browns have had "recent dialogue," the running back room is quickly filling up and the veteran remains unsigned. - Sarah Wallace
Steelers land CFP hero Sawyer
This is exactly the kind of pick the Steelers are known for making. While edge rusher isn't a position of serious need, Pittsburgh has had success developing the likes of Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig in recent years. A key fixture in Ohio State's national championship, Jack Sawyer's high pedigree, leadership, and knack for big plays is a perfect fit for the Steelers' culture. - Daniel Valente
Texans wheeling and dealing
As much as the NFL draft is about player evaluation, it's also about how to play the field. And the Texans' front office led by Nick Caserio has not been afraid to maneuver its way around. The Texans' trade up to No. 116 in the fourth round to get running back Woody Marks was the franchise's sixth trade of this draft, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. One thing has been clear: The Texans are not afraid to move around the board to get the value they want. - Daniel Valente
49ers keep picking defenders
San Francisco opened the draft by selecting five consecutive defensive players, including defensive tackle CJ West out of Indiana in the fourth round.
The selections come on the heels of an offseason exodus. Safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave parted ways with the team. - Andrew Dixon
Bills, Bears play ping-pong with 109th pick
The Bears traded the pick to the Bills during last year's draft, Buffalo traded the selection back to the Bears on Friday, and Chicago then sent the pick back to the Bills, who used it to select Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker.
The 6-foot-7, 331-pounder is the fourth consecutive defender and former SEC player that the Bills have taken during the draft. - Andrew Dixon
Tuten, Skattebo picked at the start of Day 3
The Jaguars grabbed Virginia Tech speedster Bhayshul Tuten early in the fourth round and the Giants picked Arizona State bruiser Cam Skattebo.
Tuten ran a blazing 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the combine, the fastest mark among all running backs. He has a different style than Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, which sets him up to be a rotational back.
Skattebo, who finished fifth in Heisman voting after a standout season with the Sun Devils, is set to complement Tyrone Tracy. He's a violent runner with elite contact balance and should slot in as New York's power back right from Day 1. - Andrew Dixon
Why is Shedeur sliding?
The final day of the 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, and Shedeur Sanders is still available. The Colorado signal-caller reportedly sandbagged some of his pre-draft interviews with teams that he didn't think he would be a starter for or teams that he wouldn't want to play for, according to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones.
NFL teams could also be worried about his fit as a backup quarterback. Many clubs look for No. 2 QBs who are open to supporting their starter without making waves in the locker room or the media. Sanders' persona clashing with his role could continue pushing him down boards.
Other factors, including an average pro day and the Buffaloes retiring Sanders' jersey number almost as soon as his college career ended, reportedly began to add up as negatives for teams. - Andrew Dixon
Who ends Shedeur's slide?
A whopping five quarterbacks have heard their name called already. While there's no telling when this shocking slide will end, there are a few destinations that make sense for Sanders.
The Steelers have still not addressed the quarterback position and are the most obvious fit for Sanders. However, Pittsburgh isn't scheduled to come up until the 21st pick of the fourth round.
The Raiders pick sixth in the fourth round, making them the first real option to stop Sanders' slide. It would be an intriguing landing spot, as Sanders could develop behind Geno Smith.
Perhaps a surprise team will come to Sanders' rescue. The Jets pick eighth in the fourth round and could use a low-risk investment behind Justin Fields. A team with strong offensive coaching such as the Los Angeles Rams, who pick 25th in the fourth, could also be in the mix. - Daniel Valente
Teams with work to do
The Cowboys addressed moderate needs over the first three rounds with guard Tyler Booker, edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, and corner Shavon Revel, but they haven't added any weapons for Dak Prescott. This offense needs more skill players after underachieving last year.
The Cardinals haven't looked at their offense at all, selecting defensive lineman Walter Nolen, corner Will Johnson, and pass-rusher Jordan Burch so far. Expect Arizona to add a receiver after Marvin Harrison Jr. finished 2024 as the team's only wideout with more than 600 yards.
The Steelers still desperately need a quarterback. Quinn Ewers and Kyle McCord are theScore's top-ranked passers available after Sanders. Mike Tomlin's outfit is still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision, but the team needs to add competition under center. If the season started today, Mason Rudolph would be its starter. - Caio Miari
Vets on the trade block
We didn't see any player trades over the first two days of the NFL draft. Let's see if that changes on Day 3 when teams tend to lower their asking prices. Here is a list of marquee players who were rumored to be available leading into the draft:
- Steelers WR George Pickens
- Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey
- Ravens TE Mark Andrews
- Packers CB Jaire Alexander
- Falcons QB Kirk Cousins
- Eagles TE Dallas Goedert
- Panthers LB Jadeveon Clowney
- Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta indicated Friday night that Andrews is likely to stick with the club, but uncertainty still hovers over many of these veterans. - Alex Chippin