Rumors ran wild at the Scouting Combine: How many 1st round QBs in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tyler Warren vs. Colston Loveland, and more
The NFL Scouting Combine is a massive event for the 2025 NFL Draft process, as teams get the chance to get an up-close look at the top prospects both on and off the field. But it is also big for those who cover the NFL, with everyone from the media to head coaches, general managers, scouts, […]
The NFL Scouting Combine is a massive event for the 2025 NFL Draft process, as teams get the chance to get an up-close look at the top prospects both on and off the field.
But it is also big for those who cover the NFL, with everyone from the media to head coaches, general managers, scouts, and agents all in one spot for one week in Indianapolis, Indiana. Myself and multiple other A to Z Sports staff members were boots on the ground for the event. We had some very fruitful conversations with connections across the league. So, I think it's time to share some of the most interesting things I heard and believe after leaving the combine.
What I heard in Indianapolis at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine
At least 3 QBs in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
This quarterback class has been heavily critiqued and called weak by just about anyone who covers the NFL Draft. While the league seems to agree that this class isn't as strong as in years past, some players are still starting to separate themselves from the pack. Due to so many teams having a need at QB many around the league think at least three QBs will hear their name called in the first round, and some aren't ruling out the possibility of more squeezing into the top 32 picks.
Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders are, of course, locks to go early in the draft, but after them, it seems to be a three-person race to be the third off the board. Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Alabama's Jalen Milroe, and Ohio State's Will Howard all have fans around the NFL and seem to be legitimately in play to hear their names called in the first round. Each threw at the combine and impressed teams during their sessions. It'll be interesting to see each perform at their pro days as each tries to solidify themselves as first-round picks over the next two months.
The battle for TE 1 is tighter than some think between Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland
Penn State's Tyler Warren is the consensus top tight end in the class online, but talking to scouts told me the race to be the first off the board is much tighter than people realize. Along with Warren, Michigan's Colston Loveland is highly respected across the league and is the top TE on multiple team boards. Drafting a TE in the first round isn't something teams typically prioritize, and each has different criteria that could lead them to do so. Teams that want to see the TE have early success in the passing game and be a dynamic pass catcher early seem to lean towards Loveland, while teams that need a TE to be well-rounded and impact both the passing game and running game to use a prime pick on the position lean Warren.
Jihaad Campbell's stock was already up before testing now it's sky-high
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell put on a show during his testing at the scouting combine, which has his draft stock at an all-time high. But people around the league shared that the LB was already someone the NFL was much higher on than social media seemed to be. I was told by multiple sources early in the week that the LB was a lock to go in the first round, and since his testing, many would be shocked if he made it out of the top 15. Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter will be the first defenders off the board without question, but the third is a mystery at this time. Current momentum points towards Campbell being a prime candidate to take the reigns of that spot, though.
Many believe the Steelers prefer to retain Justin Fields over Russell Wilson
One of the hottest topics around the combine last week was what the Pittsburgh Steelers will do at QB for 2025. Both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are set to become free agents, and the team is only expected to attempt to retain one of the two. Nearly everyone in Indianapolis believes the team prefers to extend Fields and let Wilson walk. But they also think signing Fields to a new deal won't prevent the Steelers from doing their homework on the QBs in this year's draft class. It's not out of the question that the Steelers retain Fields and draft a QB with a valuable pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
NFL scouts reveal at combine which position 2025 NFL Draft prospect Travis Hunter should play when he gets to the league
Is Travis Hunter a wide receiver, a corner, or both at the NFL level? That is the debate surrounding Hunter until he is drafted, and see the role his new team envisions for the 2024 Heisman winner. The NFL Scouting Combine is a unique time of year when all 32 teams have reps in one […]
