NFL Player News

The Steelers selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 185th overall.

The Steelers waited until late in the draft to address quarterback but still ended up with a decent prospect in Howard. Before leading Ohio State to a national championship in 2024, Howard started parts of four seasons at Kansas State. He didn't have nearly the pass-catching talent at K-State that he had in Columbus, and that's borne out in the numbers -- Howard completed 58.8 percent of his passes at a 7.4 YPA clip. Howard was helped dramatically by the supporting cast at Ohio State and posted a 73 percent completion rate and 9.5 YPA while tossing 35 touchdowns in 16 games. Howard is a big (6-foot-4, 236 pounds) and athletic quarterback who can run. He doesn't possess elite arm talent but is a good processor and is poised. In a situation like Pittsburgh's with no established starter, it wouldn't be shocking for Howard to compete for a starting job. And as a fun aside, Howard actually competed for playing time with fellow Steeler Skylar Thompson while they were at Kansas State.

The Saints selected Neal in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 184th overall.

Few would have found it shocking if Neal had gone as early as the third round, so in the sixth round he could prove a bargain for the Saints. The former Kansas star would ideally be a little more heavy (5-foot-11, 213 pounds) and would ideally have a little more speed (4.58-second 40-yard dash), but Neal's collegiate production was convincing on the question of his skill set. Neal really knows how to play, be it on running and passing downs, and if he gets his foot into the door history says he might be tough to put back on the bench. Neal might supplant Kendre Miller on the depth chart if Miller can't improve in his third year, though Neal is likely no threat to Alvin Kamara's usage.

The Patriots selected Borregales in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 182nd overall.

Borregales is the first kicker taken in this draft, and he's the second kicker that the Patriots have drafted in three seasons, as they previously selected Chad Ryland -- who is now with the Cardinals -- in 2023. Borregales, a four-year starter, was automatic at Miami as a senior, hitting 18 of 19 field goals, including seven of eight tries from beyond 40 yards. His longest field goal was 56 yards. Borregales will compete with John Parker Romo -- who connected on 11 of 12 field-goal tries last season -- for the starting gig in New England.

The Raiders selected Pegues in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 180th overall.

Pegues spent all five of his collegiate seasons in the SEC, with his last two years coming at Ole Miss. He was able to consistently get into the backfield, combining for 7.0 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in his final two campaigns. He'll now look to provide depth for a loaded Las Vegas defensive line, and he could also contribute as a short-yardage rusher, as he found the end zone seven times for the Rebels in 2024.

The Eagles selected McCord in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 181st overall.

McCord transferred to Syracuse in 2024 after spending the three previous seasons at Ohio State. He flourished in Syracuse's pass-happy spread system, leading the FBS in passing yards (4,779) and completions per game (30.1) in 2024 to earn a spot on the Second Team All-ACC roster. McCord doesn't stand out physically, but he stays cool in the pocket and makes throws with conviction, which should translate against NFL-level defenses. He'll compete with Tanner McKee and Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the backup quarterback job behind Jalen Hurts.

The Dolphins selected Gordon in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 179th overall.

A year ago, it would have been considered a big surprise for Gordon to last this long in the draft. He was coming off a monstrous sophomore season at Oklahoma State with 285 carries for 1,732 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. His junior year did not go as planned, however. Gordon's YPC dropped from 6.08 to 4.63, and he was held to 880 rushing yards on 190 attempts. The combine didn't help his stock much, as he tested below average in the 40 (4.61) and in the vertical (34.5). His fit in Miami is good, though. The Dolphins have two smaller, speedier backs and needed to add some thump. Gordon can provide that at 6-foot-1 and 226 pounds. The upside case for Gordon would be taking over a short-yardage and goal-line role in Miami.

The Ravens selected Kone in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 178th overall.

Kone (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) is a corner with height and speed (4.43-second 40-yard dash) who had to work his way up through the collegiate minors by playing two years at Iowa Central Community College and one year at Indiana State before playing his final two seasons at Western Michigan. Kone will likely compete with 2024 fourth-round pick T.J. Tampa for the third boundary corner spot behind Nate Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie.

The Bills selected Strong as the first pick of the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 177th overall.

Strong finished out his five-year career at Virginia Tech with 53 games played, racking up 112 tackles and seven interceptions. He doesn't jump off the page as an elite athlete but has decent size at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. Strong excels at play recognition and is solid supporting in the run game, making him an ideal fit for Buffalo's zone defense. He'll likely kick off his career in a depth role and may be asked to contribute on special teams. The Bills have put a heavy emphasis on bulking up the secondary thus far in the draft, making Strong their third pick at cornerback after Maxwell Hairston (first round) and Jordan Hancock (fifth round).

The Jets selected Baron in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 176th overall.

Baron enjoyed an impressive 2025 NFL Combine, highlighted by a 4.62 40-yard dash and 36-inch vertical jump at 6-foot-5, 258 pounds. His production was solid during his final two college seasons at Tennessee and Miami, respectively, and he led the Hurricanes with 11.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2024. Baron needs to work on establishing himself as a run stopper before he can work into a three-down rotation, but his plus athleticism could open the door to a situational pass-rushing role in New York.

The Seahawks selected Ouzts in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 175th overall.

Ouzts spent his four-year college career in Alabama, where he played a variety of roles while primarily serving as a blocker, though he did show some good hands and body control when passes came his way (16 catches on 21 targets for 192 yards and three touchdowns in his career). Ouzts is an old-school, physical player who seeks out contact, which should earn him opportunities on special teams and in jumbo packages as a blocker. He's listed as a tight end, but Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times relays that the Seahawks envision Ouzts more as a fullback at the NFL level.