NFL News&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eagles move up 1 spot and take Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell in the NFL draft

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 9:08 pm | Story: 546598

Photo: The Canadian Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles moved up one spot in the NFL draft to select linebacker Jihaad Campbell of Alabama with the No. 31 overall pick on Thursday night.

Campbell is a native of nearby Erial, New Jersey, and he spent his first three years of high school at Timber Creek — about 17 miles from Philadelphia’s home stadium, Lincoln Financial Field. The 6-foot-3, 244-pound Campbell had 54 solo tackles, five sacks and one interception last season in 13 games while hampered by injury.

Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman said the Eagles had Campbell among the best 10 players on their draft board.

“For us, this was an easy pick,” Roseman said. “Real explosive player. He can play inside, be an edge rusher. Just really feel fortunate to bring him home back to Philly.”

Roseman dismissed any concerns over Campbell’s injury history.

“We have a lot of confidence this guy is going to be here and play at a really high level for a long time,” he said.

The reigning champion Eagles held the No. 32 pick but swapped with their Super Bowl foe, Kansas City, to select Campbell. He spent his final season of high school at IMG Academy in Florida before choosing Alabama over Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M. In three seasons for the Crimson Tide, he had 184 total tackles in 35 games.

“We think he’s a versatile player who can do a lot of different things,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “The main thing you see is the speed that he plays with, the relentless effort, and that plays on defense.”

Roseman said he tried to move up higher in the draft to select Campbell and was finally able to make a deal with Kansas City to ensure the Eagles got the player they wanted.

“We’re very excited about what he’s going to bring to the team,” Roseman said. “This wasn’t a need pick. There were other players we liked at the spot we were picking, but this stood out to us. Very excited to get him, and we didn’t want to lose him.”

___

Chiefs use final pick in first round of NFL draft on Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 8:53 pm | Story: 546593

Photo: The Canadian Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs selected Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons with the final pick in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night, giving quarterback Patrick Mahomes the blindside protector he was so sorely lacking last season.

Simmons missed the majority of last season after tearing a patellar tendon in his knee, and he didn't work out at the scouting combine, which may have left some teams wary of using a high draft pick on him. But the Chiefs were comfortable after several checks on him, and they wound up using the No. 32 overall pick to finally shore up the tackle spot.

“I figured there might be a chance coming off the injury (to get him), but I think as you get to know him a bit and the time you get to study and talk to people around him, you'll find out he's a really super athlete,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “That's where we were a little bit nervous whether he would be there or not.”

Mahomes was clearly happy with the pick, tweeting a sunglasses emoji moments before it was announced.

Not surprising given the amount of time he spent on his back last season.

“There's a lot different expectations when you're picking this low in the draft, especially with the quarterback that's going to be behind you,” said Simmons, who spent draft night with his agent and some family and friends.

“You have to attack it hard," he added, "show up to work hard every day.”

The Chiefs tried to address left tackle last season, when they picked Kingsley Suamataia in the second round. But he was soon benched, and Wanya Morris fared little better in his place. By the end of the season, the Chiefs had resorted to using star guard Joe Thuney at the tackle spot so that Mahomes would have enough time in the pocket.

It didn't work. And the Eagles took advantage of the porous offensive line in a blowout victory in the Super Bowl.

Coincidentally, just before the Chiefs went on the clock Thursday night, they swapped draft slots with Philadelphia, giving up No. 31. And by moving back that one spot, the Chiefs also picked up a fifth-round pick in this year's draft.

The Eagles picked Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, leaving Kansas City to pick Simmons and fill its biggest need.

“When you throw that tape on,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said, “you're thinking, ‘Hopefully we’re not in a position to take him,' because he could go pretty high. ... There's still a rehabilitation process, and belief in our training staff. But had it not been for his injury, he probably wouldn't have been there.”

The Chiefs did sign Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract in free agency, giving them an option at offensive tackle if things didn't work out in the draft. Now, they have two capable options to go with starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor.

Reid said the Chiefs would be cautious with Simmons during their upcoming rookie minicamp, and he was unsure exactly what the 6-foot-5, 317-pounder would be able to do during the rest of offseason workouts. But trainer Rick Burkholder was confident that Simmons' knee would be ready to go by training camp, putting him on track to play a full rookie season.

“There's no time to take breaths. If anything, it's where you have to start pouring it on as much as you ever have,” Simmons said. “You know you're going into a really, really good football club.”

The Chiefs have three picks on Day 2 of the draft Friday night — one in the second round and two in the third. And they still have plenty of needs as they seek a fourth straight Super Bowl appearance, including help along the defensive line.

“You'll never be able to stamp anything on a draft until you see the guys produce, and how they perform on the field,” Veach said. "But just in general, it's good practice to always leave a draft with offensive linemen and defensive linemen.

“We'll try to check the boxes where need meets the talent.”

___

Buffalo Bills address need at cornerback by selecting Kentucky's Maxwell Hairston 30th in NFL draft

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 8:47 pm | Story: 546594

Photo: The Canadian Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Maxwell Hairston’s blistering speed wasn’t the only thing that helped convince Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane to select the Kentucky cornerback in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night.

What impressed Beane more, aside from filling Buffalo's most pressing offseason need, was the 21-year-old’s ability to recover when he gets beaten in coverage. It was a quality evident in one play the GM and Hairston watched during their meeting at the NFL combine in Indianapolis two months ago.

In a game against Texas last year, Longhorns receiver Isaiah Bond got a few steps on Hairston before the cornerback swiveled and, without losing his balance, chased down the receiver in time to break up a reception.

“It’s hard to have recovery speed like that,” Beane said after selecting Hairston 30th overall.

“Some guys run fast, like they run track fast, but they don’t play fast,” he added. “And you’re always looking to add speed as long as the football player matches it.”

Listed at 5-11 and 182 pounds, Hairston ran the fasted 40 of any player at the combine in being timed at 4.28 seconds.

Production-wise, he led the SEC as a sophomore in 2023 with five interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. He had only one interception last year plus two forced fumbles in seven starts while missing five due to a shoulder injury.

Aside from speed, Hairston brings an infectious personality and joked about knowing what is expected from him in joining the quarterback Josh Allen-led five-time defending AFC East champions.

“I bring juice, I bring being a good teammate, I bring leadership,” said Hairston, who is from West Bloomfield, Michigan. “And I’m going to bring Josh Allen the ball back.”

Hairston joins a team with a hole at cornerback opposite returning starter Christian Benford.

Buffalo elected against re-signing starter Rasul Douglas last month, while also electing to move on from Kaiir Elam by trading the third-year player to Dallas last month. And Hairston became the first defensive player the Bills selected with their first pick in the draft since taking Elam at No. 23 in 2022.

Buffalo added veteran depth at the position with the free-agent additions of Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson, who both rejoin the team after a one-year absence.

Though Hairston will have a shot to compete for a starting job, the veteran depth provides the Bills a level of insurance to ease in the rookie, who Beane said still needs to develop his tackling skills — something the team demands out of its cornerbacks.

“I think he is a willing tackler,” Beane said, noting Hairston has already started bulking up. “It’s not from a lack of effort. And he’s got the coverage skills, ball skills that you look for in a corner.”

On Thursday, Hairston was the fourth cornerback selected in the first round, including No. 2 pick Travis Hunter who also plays receiver.

By filling a position of need and with Buffalo having a first-round grade on Hairston, Beane said he elected to make the selection rather than trading back as he did twice in moving entirely out of the first round a year ago.

“We didn’t want to commit to that until we saw what was there on the board,” Beane said. “We had options to go back, but we had a good grade on Max. We’re excited that he was available.”

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Commanders take Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. with the 29th pick in the NFL draft

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 8:42 pm | Story: 546595

Photo: The Canadian Press

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Beefing up the protection for franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders selected Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. with the 29th pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

Audible cheers could be heard inside the team facility before the pick was announced in person at the draft in Green Bay. General manager Adam Peters said he and his staff were holding their breath hoping Conerly, “clearly the highest player on our board” would still be there.

“Everybody was just really pumped to get him,” Peters said. “He’s really the total package. You look at the tape and you see what an incredible athlete he is. ... Just great feet, great lower-body structure — super talented for a big man”

Taking Conerly upgrades the line in front of Daniels, who was sacked three times in the NFC title game loss to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia. It's the latest upgrade building around Daniels after Peters acquired standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil from Houston and traded for wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

“Every move we make, we’re trying to maximize him and really the whole team,” Peters said.

Taking Conerly also comes after the division-rival New York Giants selected edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third pick. Conerly and Oregon beat Carter and Penn State last season, and his performance in that game contributed to the Commanders valuing the 21-year-old.

“They way he competed against Abdul Carter, he went toe to toe with Abdul Carter, the best pass rusher in the draft,” Peters said. “He played really well.”

A 6-foot-5, 311-pounder from Seattle, Conerly started 14 games at left tackle for the Ducks as a junior last season. He said it “means the world” to get a chance to play in front of Daniels and try to keep him upright.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity just to get out there and block for one of the best,” Conerly said.

Conerly was a third-team AP All-America selection and first-team all Big Ten. He could move to the right side after the Commanders n last month and should compete for a starting spot.

“Whatever’s asked, that’s what I’m doing,” said Conerly, who did not hesitate when asked about potentially playing right tackle. "Hey, if that’s what I’ve got to do, that’s what I’ve got to do.”

The Commanders went offensive line over help in the secondary, at linebacker or at defensive end. They did not trade back out of the first round like others did just ahead of them, stockpiling picks later in this draft and in future years.

“We got a ton of calls when we were on the clock,” Peters said. “If he was on the board, we weren’t going to trade back. In our minds it was not worth risking missing out on him.”

Team co-owner Magic Johnson expressed his approval on social media, posting: “Commanders Nation I’m truly excited about our pick OT Josh Conerly Jr. from Oregon. Welcome to the DMV!”

Peters said Daniels got woken up by the call informing him Conerly was the pick.

“He went back to bed,” Peters said. “He’s happy.”

Sitting at 29 was the latest Washington has waited to make a draft pick since No. 44 in 2014, when the team did not have its first-rounder because of the trade to move up to select Robert Griffin III second in 2012.

After trading for Tunsil and Samuel, the Commanders have four picks the rest of the draft: one each in the second (61st), fourth (128th), sixth (205th) and seventh (245th) rounds. Peters said he did not feel pressure to put an emphasis on defense.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Packers select wide receiver Matthew Golden with No. 23 pick in NFL draft

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 8:35 pm | Story: 546590

Photo: The Canadian Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Matthew Golden was well aware that the Green Bay Packers hadn’t selected a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL draft since 2002.

But that didn’t shake Golden’s confidence that his name would be called by the Packers.

The host team for this year’s draft selected the Texas star wide receiver at No. 23 overall on Thursday night.

“I definitely knew they didn’t take a receiver from that long ago,” Golden told reporters. “And I had a good relationship with ’em when I came up here on my visit. I got around the coaching staff and I seen how the culture was here and I enjoyed it.”

The previous time the Packers used their first-round pick to select a wide receiver was Javon Walker at 20th overall 23 years ago. In fact, this is just the sixth time in the past 20 years the Packers have used a first-round pick on an offensive player, which includes quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (2005) and Jordan Love (2020).

Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy, who is retiring in July and announced the pick to the massive hometown crowd gathered outside Lambeau Field, made it a point to mention to the fans the long drought of not selecting a playmaker for the team’s quarterbacks.

“I really sent in a different name, but Mark just announced what he announced,” joked Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Golden was one of 15 prospects in attendance at the draft. After being picked, Golden made his way from the green room to the draft stage where Green Bay fans greeted him with exuberant cheers.

“I never felt nothing like it,” Golden said. “Man, I wish I could go right back out there right now. It was so cool, the energy that the Packers’ fans got. I mean, I could just feel it and I’m just so excited to be here and I’m glad the organization picked me.”

Gutekunst had Golden come to Green Bay a couple of weeks before the draft; he made a great impression on Green Bay’s front office.

“Really excited to bring Matthew into the fold,” Gutekunst said. “I think he’s going to do a lot of things for us. Obviously, he’s a very gifted athlete, a gifted football player, but he’s also just wired exactly how we want our guys in the locker room. I think he’s a good fit.”

The 21-year-old Golden is coming off an excellent junior season in which he had 58 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. During nine of Texas’ games, Golden averaged 20 yards per catch.

A speedster, clocking a 40-yard dash time of 4.29 seconds, Golden isn’t prototypical wide receiver size at 5-foot-11.

However, he has the ability to play all the receiving positions.

“He’s kind of above the Mendoza line for that outside, but not by much,” Gutekunst said. “Obviously, he has elite speed. His ability to stretch the field outside the numbers is really, really important. And when you watch him, we thought arguably he had some of the best hands in the draft.”

Golden joins a young but deep and talented Packers wide receiving group. Green Bay is looking for a true No. 1 receiver with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton and Malik Heath all playing integral roles on last season’s team.

Reed was the Packers’ leading receiver in 2024 with 857 yards. Watson, who tore his ACL late in the season and is expected to miss a significant chunk of the 2025 season, added 620 yards and Doubs came through with 601 yards. Green Bay has not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Davante Adams in 2021.

Even with high expectations heading to Green Bay after the franchise used its top pick on him, Golden doesn’t feel any extra pressure to perform.

“God put me in this situation for a reason. He wouldn’t bring me here if I couldn’t handle it,” Golden said. “Like I said, I know it’s gonna come with a lot but that’s what I want. I want to be pushed. I want as much as I can get. I’m gonna put my best foot forward and I’m gonna make sure I always come out on top.”

___

Ravens select Georgia safety Malaki Starks at No. 27 in NFL draft

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 8:27 pm | Story: 546591

Photo: The Canadian Press

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta called it one of the most impressive interviews the Ravens have had at the combine.

That impression helped Georgia safety Malaki Starks become the team's first-round draft pick.

“I just think it was remarkable, the way that he could discuss football,” DeCosta said. “His ability to call out the plays from their defense before we even showed the plays, just based on formation. His ability to dissect and talk about what happened on any given play, and know what his teammates were doing on any given play. It was like he was a coach.”

The Ravens took Starks with the 27th pick Thursday night. It was their second consecutive year drafting a defensive back in the first round after taking Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins in 2024.

Baltimore didn't have too many obvious needs after winning a second straight AFC North title, but its pass defense was a problem early last season. One way to limit big plays was putting star safety Kyle Hamilton in a deeper role, but adding Starks may free up Hamilton to move around more.

“It definitely gives us that option. It's not to say that Kyle won't be back there because he will be,” coach John Harbaugh said. “But the good news is, the offense isn't going to know who's going to be back there on any given play. Not going to be able to line up and say, ‘OK, Kyle’s going to be deep.'”

Starks too has some intriguing versatility.

“He covers people man to man. He comes up and tackles people," Harbaugh said. "He plays nickel zone responsibility, which is really kind of tricky. He's got a good feel for that. In the deep middle, he's got range.”

Starks was a second-team All-American last season, leading the Bulldogs in tackles. It was another big draft day for the Georgia defense. Edge rushers Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker went earlier in the first round.

“Experienced guys from winning programs," DeCosta said. "That’s something that we definitely look for.”

With Baltimore picking near the end of the first round, it was a lengthy wait for the Ravens — and for Starks.

“I was sitting on the couch about to play Uno. It's been a long night, so I was just trying to stay calm through the whole thing," Starks said. "I heard the phone ring and I knew I was a Raven.”

The Ravens have been pretty consistent in recent years. Since 2021, they've used their top draft pick on either a wide receiver or a defensive back. And all those players are still contributing to the organization — Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers at receiver, plus Hamilton and Wiggins in the secondary.

“In my experience, if you're going to lose a game, an easy way to lose it is by having a bad secondary. We never want to be in that position. That's a bad place to be,” DeCosta said. “And John was a secondary coach in Philly for a while too. He understands the importance of it as well.”

___

Giants trade back into the first round to take Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 8:12 pm | Story: 546587

Photo: The Canadian Press

The New York Giants got their possible quarterback of the future by trading their way back into the first round.

Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart was selected with the No. 25 overall pick Thursday night — a few hours after New York bolstered its defense by taking Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3 and general manager Joe Schoen slyly said “we'll see” when asked if the Giants were done picking for the night.

Turns out, they were far from it.

New York acquired the 25th pick from Houston to take Dart and sent the Texans its second-round pick (No. 34), a third-round pick (No. 99) and a third-rounder in next year's draft.

“We’re fired up to have Jaxson Dart as part of the organization,” Schoen said, “and look forward to working with him.”

The Giants signed veterans Russell Wilson — who’s expected to be the starter this upcoming season — and Jameis Winston last month as free agents and still have fan favorite Tommy DeVito, but they lacked a possible long-term answer at quarterback.

So the Giants made a draft day trade to get one — and from Ole Miss — as they did in 2004, when they acquired Eli Manning from the Chargers who took him No. 1 overall. Manning eventually led the franchise to two Super Bowl victories, and the Giants can only hope this move works out nearly as well.

But with Wilson and Winston already in New York, Dart won’t have to be rushed onto the field — at least not this season.

“This is just where my journey starts,” Dart said during a video call. "I’m stepping into an amazing room with a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who can see it from a different lens at such an elite level. I can’t wait to go learn from him, go learn from all the other guys in Tommy and Jameis in the room and then just the team as a whole.

“I feel like it’s just a bunch of great competitors who really see it the same way, and I can’t wait to go out there and compete and do all that I can to make the team better.”

Dart was the second QB selected in this year's draft after Cam Ward went No. 1 overall to Tennessee.

Colorado's Shedeur Sanders was once considered a possibility to be taken by the Giants, even with the third overall pick. But New York passed on Sanders twice, and the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders wasn't drafted in the first round.

Dart, a 6-foot-2, 223-pound Utah native, improved his draft positioning with an outstanding senior season at Mississippi. A first-team All-SEC selection, Dart ranked third in the FBS with 4,279 yards passing and was the Gator Bowl MVP in the Rebels’ victory over Duke after throwing for 404 yards and four TDs.

Dart played his first college season at Southern California, but transferred to Mississippi after his freshman year. In three seasons playing under Lane Kiffin, he set the school records for yards passing with 10,617 and total offense with 12,115.

“He’s got a lot of qualities you look for in a good quarterback,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. "He’s tough, makes good decisions with the football, pushes the ball down the field, has athletic ability, played in a really tough conference, started there at USC as a young guy.

“But did a really good job throughout this process of our meetings, board work, workouts and the tape that we liked.”

Dart has been on NFL scouts’ radars since he was the national Gatorade Football Player of the Year during his senior year at Corner Canyon High School — where 2021 No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson also once played — after throwing for 4,691 yards and a Utah state-record 67 TD and only four interceptions.

He said there's “no doubt” he fits in with the spotlight of playing in the Big Apple.

“As a competitor, you want to play on the biggest stages,” Dart said. "You want to play in front of the most passionate fans, most world-renowned program and organization. That’s just kind of what I wanted to be a part of. I felt like my process of getting to this moment, I just feel like I’m built for it.

“I’m really excited to go after it with everything that I’ve got.”

___

Vikings get Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson in NFL draft with 24th pick

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 8:09 pm | Story: 546588

Photo: The Canadian Press

The Minnesota Vikings were never more determined to fix their blocking problems than were this spring, after a 14-win season was ultimately torpedoed by too much interior pressure.

Donovan Jackson became the final piece of the upgrade.

The Vikings made the Ohio State guard the 24th selection in the NFL draft on Thursday night, completing an offseason overhaul of the interior of their offensive line after ignoring an opportunity to trade down and add to their small number of picks.

The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Jackson, who was the third guard taken behind Alabama's Tyler Booker at No. 12 and North Dakota State's Gray Zabel at No. 18, was a second-team Associated Press All-American for the national champion Buckeyes.

“He’s got size. He’s got length. He’s got power,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “A lot of things that we’re very excited about.”

Jackson was a three-year starter at left guard who moved to left tackle midway through his senior season after an injury at that position, even though the switch posed a potential risk to his draft stock.

“I just wanted to win," said Jackson, who allowed only five sacks in 1,293 pass blocking snaps in his college career, according to Pro Football Focus analysis.

After struggling for several years to stabilize their offensive line, the Vikings finally got aggressive and signed center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries in free agency — both away from Indianapolis — for a combined, guaranteed total of more than $53 million.

Now they'll likely have three new starters in the middle between standout tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill. Center Garrett Bradbury was released and signed with New England. Right guard Dalton Risner became a free agent. Left guard Blake Brandel, who was drafted as a tackle, could become a versatile backup.

“The ability to have a collection of five guys up front playing as one with the type of skill sets and physical ability we have now gives me really good feelings about what we can be,” O'Connell said, “not only this year, but beyond.”

The timing couldn't be better, with the offense about to be turned over to quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose preseason knee injury last year prevented him from playing as a rookie.

The Vikings have only three picks remaining in this draft, one in the third round on Friday and one each in the fifth and seventh rounds on Saturday.

Because of that and their lack of a glaring need, unlike last year when they drafted McCarthy, they were a prime candidate to move down.

There were two trades made right behind them, with the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons swooping in to pick at No. 25 and 26, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings were too enamored with Jackson to be tempted to slide down with the risk he'd go elsewhere.

For years, the tackles were the biggest-money positions on the line, but the guards have been catching up in importance — and salary.

“I think you’ve seen in the market the value that’s been assigned to it,” Adofo-Mensah said.

Jackson considered declaring for the draft a year ago, so the Vikings have had a close eye on him for awhile. When he made his recent pre-draft visit to team headquarters, he met McCarthy, a Michigan product who won the national championship the year before Ohio State.

The time for rivalry-fueled animosity, though, has passed.

“We’re going to leave that in college," McCarthy told Jackson then.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Shedeur Sanders is still on NFL draft boards after QB-needy teams pass on him in 1st round

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 7:59 pm | Story: 546580

Photo: The Canadian Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders is still on the board following the first round of the NFL draft.

The New York Giants passed on the former Colorado star quarterback twice, including with the No. 3 pick Thursday night. Las Vegas (at No. 6), the New York Jets (No. 7), New Orleans (No. 9) and Pittsburgh (No. 21) also said no thanks to Sanders, and that's four teams seemingly in need of a signal caller.

How far will Sanders fall now?

He will definitely be available when the second round begins Friday with QB-needy Cleveland on the clock. The Browns hold two of the first four picks in the round.

“We all didn’t expect this of course, but I feel like with God, anything’s possible, everything’s possible," Sanders said in a video posted on YouTube on Thursday night. “I don’t think this happened for no reason. All this is, is of course fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance, we all know this shouldn’t have happened, but we understand we’re on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We’re going to be happy regardless.”

There was some thought a team would trade into the bottom end of the first round and grab Sanders. But no one did.

The Giants looked like they might. They sent three picks to Houston for the 25th overall selection and then chose Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart over Sanders. TV cameras showed a solemn Sanders family watching and waiting in Canton, Texas.

Concerns about Sanders’ arm strength have become an issue in recent weeks, although his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, laughed at that notion. In 50 collegiate games, Shedeur Sanders threw for 14,347 yards, with 134 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. He completed 70.1% of his passes and ran for 17 more scores.

He finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting. Former Colorado teammate Travis Hunter went second overall to Jacksonville, which traded four picks to move up three spots and select the Heisman winner.

But Sanders didn't get the same first-round party. Although there was some speculation he might slide to the second round, most outsiders figured someone — maybe a big-city franchise — would take a chance on the talented player who brings an entourage.

Sanders previously said he didn't need the bright lights of Broadway or the Bellagio. “I could bring cameras and eyes anywhere I go,” he said. And he insisted the attention wouldn't bother him one bit because, as his father said, he was raised to keep calm and carry on.

“One thing I learned is to not really care about anybody’s opinion but those around us who matter,” Shedeur said.

His father has been outspoken all along the way.

“We’ve already won. We came from a private school. And we came from an HBCU. We’ve won," Deion Sanders said. "Shedeur’s getting drafted. He’s going in the first round. ... We’ve won, man. We’ve already won.”

___

Los Angeles Chargers choose North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton in effort to boost offense

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 7:59 pm | Story: 546581

Photo: The Canadian Press

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers went into coach Jim Harbaugh’s second offseason determined to build the powerful running game that was the trademark of his success at previous stops at Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers and Michigan.

By selecting North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with the 22nd pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night and pairing him with free-agent signing Najee Harris, Harbaugh believes he now has two of the necessary pieces in place to make it happen.

“We gotta look at Najee and Omarion (as) both starters,” Harbaugh said. “It’s like a third wide receiver. It’s like a nickel (defensive) back. … I think they’re both outstanding.”

The powerful Hampton, who checks in at 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds, had two impressive seasons as a starter for the Tar Heels with more than 1,500 yards rushing. The first came in 2023 when he shared the backfield with New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Without the presence of the third overall pick in the 2024 draft this past season, Hampton had 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games.

General manager Joe Horitz said Hampton stood out during early evaluations last summer, and the production without Maye was equally impressive to the Chargers. It was enough to make him the second running back taken in the first round, following Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.

“Certainly teams are gonna load the box more. And I think, this is off the top of my head, I think he averaged almost, if not, the same exact yards per carry this year,” said Horitz, before Harbaugh jumped in to confirm Hampton had identical 5.9 yards per carry averages in his two seasons as the lead back.

Horitz and Harbaugh were also impressed by Hampton’s consistency, durability and well-rounded skill set. He led the ACC in carries and rushing yards in back-to-back seasons and added 73 receptions for 635 yards and four touchdowns during his college career.

The Chargers needed to upgrade their offensive firepower after the run game tailed off throughout Harbaugh’s first season, which ended with a 32-12 wild-card round loss to Houston. The team's average of 4.06 yards per carry ranked 24th in the NFL despite heavy investment in the offensive line. In the postseason, they managed just 50 yards on 18 carries.

Hampton will now be paired up with a four-time 1,000-yard rusher in Harris. Harris, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a one-year contract in March.

Horitz said the two new additions share similar traits, which was exactly what Los Angeles was looking to add coming into the draft.

“I think it’ll be a great one-two punch,” Horitz said. “He’s physical. He runs hard. He’s fast. And he bring that brings same type of mentality Najee brings as a runner. Like I said last week, we’re looking for someone who complements but also offers the same.”

The decision to draft Hampton was unanimous throughout the organization, Horitz said, but the Chargers ran down the clock before making the pick as they discussed potentially trading down to add more picks in what is regarded as a deep prospect pool.

“But in the end, you either make a pick or you make a trade,” Horitz said. We made the pick."

Hampton wasn’t regarded by draft analysts as a particularly creative tailback but that is likely to be less of an issue in Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s downhill offense.

Hampton already knows how he will fit into what Harbaugh wants to do.

“I know he loves to run the ball," Hampton said in a video call with reporters. “I feel like he knows what he wants. Like he’s all-in to win the Super Bowl, so I feel like I love that. … I’m grateful to be a part of it, and I’m excited to get started soon.”

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Broncos add cornerback Jahdae Barron of Texas to team up with star Pat Surtain II

The Canadian Press - Apr 24, 2025 / 7:39 pm | Story: 546577

Photo: The Canadian Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Patrick Surtain II has a new partner in the defensive backfield, with the Denver Broncos selecting Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron with the 20th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

“We weren't expecting him to be there,” general manager George Paton said. “He was pretty high up on our board. What we liked about him is he's a playmaker, he's a football player, he's a fun watch."

Coach Sean Payton praised Barron's skills and football IQ and said another thing that impressed him was this: After Barron spoke with team owner Greg Penner following his selection, he asked to be put on speaker phone so he could thank everyone in the organization.

“And I've never had that happen,” Payton said.

A ballhawk and sure tackler for the Longhorns, Barron lined up outside, in the slot and in the box as a dime linebacker, and his versatility is expected to allow him to make an impact as a rookie.

Barron has elite speed, running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the NFL scouting combine, and he won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024 after picking off five passes and breaking up 11 more.

In Denver he'll team up with Surtain, the Broncos' 2021 first-round pick who is coming off his best season — he was honored as the NFL's defensive player of the year — and rising third-year cornerback Riley Moss.

“I bring a lot of versatility to the defense,” Barron said. “I’m going to learn from the vets. I can’t wait to learn from Patrick Surtain. I can’t wait to learn from (Denver defensive coordinator Vance) Joseph. I mean, it’s going to be amazing.”

The Broncos could even give the 5-foot-11, 194-pound Barron a look at safety. If so, he's certain he'd fare well.

“Oh, definitely,” Barron said. “It would be a tremendous thing for me, just learning from those vets there.”

Barron said he was recently introduced to Surtain through his financial advisor but hadn't had time to return Surtain's message in the leadup to the draft.

“So, he's probably going to make me carry his pads for not hitting him back,” Barron said with a laugh.

For the first time in a decade, the Broncos didn’t have to spend their draft preparation poring over quarterback prospects. Bo Nix’s successful rookie season in 2024 allowed Payton and Paton to focus their energies elsewhere.

The Broncos got off to a good start with their roster reshaping in free agency, signing safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw from the San Francisco 49ers and adding tight end Evan Engram from Jacksonville and special teams ace Trent Sherfield from Detroit.

That allowed them to focus on adding the best player on their board, which they did in Barron.

“I can do a lot of things once I learn and soak it in, soak the game in and understand it,” Barron said. “But I'm very smart and I'm willing to do whatever to contribute and make myself a value and a key piece.

“And again, I can't wait to learn from Patrick Surtain, to be a part of the DB culture and the things that he's doing and the things that they got going on down there.”

___