Now that were finally at that part of the NFL season where young talent is getting drafted, its time for old talent to get moved. Football is a young mans game and because of that most veterans in the league tend to get shuffled around to different teams. Plenty of teams are eager for this draft as the prospects for this draft have a lot of potential. Given that there are a lot of current players with question marks over their names. Whether the team wants to use the players in an effort to jump up draft spots or maybe the team is just ready to part ways with the player all together. Today we’re gonna look at a few of the players who have uncertain futures going into the 2025 season.
1. Mark Andrews
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Starting at the top of our list is Ravens Tight End Mark Andrews. Going into his 8th season in the NFL, 29 year old Mark Andrews is entering his last year contract wise with the Ravens. Andrews has had a fantastic career as a tight end so far in his career. After having a thousand plus yard season in 2021 he has had a steady decline in production. After unfortunately suffering from a serious ankle injury late in the 2023 season he cracked his fibula and damaged his ligament requiring surgery. The injury was caused by the infamous Hip-Drop Tackle. To add to this Andrews has also had a little bit of an issue plaguing his game in recent years, in dropped passes. This has been an issue ever since coming back from his injury. Not to mention the soul crushing loss to the Bills this year in the playoffs where Mark Andrews dropped a game tying 2 point conversion. The Ravens have not said they are for sure looking to trade him but they also have not shut down possibilities of a trade. Given that they have a younger prospect in Isiah Likely and are heading into a rookie class with some really strong tight ends in it, I personally think it’s likely (pun intended) that he gets traded but only time will tell.
2. Jalen Ramsey
Credit: USA Today
The fast flying, high tempo team we saw emerge in 2023 looks to be hitting the reset button. After a tragic 2024 season dealing with just about every issue a team could deal with Injury, Drama, uncertainty, and just for good measure some more injuries. The pain never seemed to stop for Miami last season. It was recently announced that after talking with his agent the Dolphins have decided to search for a trade with 30 year old Jalen Ramsey. Stating that it’s in the best interest of both parties. It’s hard to say where the 3 time all-pro corner could go given a couple factors, of course his age seeing as Ramsey is 30 and isn’t getting any younger as time goes on. Injury is always a concern with players especially as they age but plenty of teams could use his talents on their roster. I do not see Ramsey as a draft day trade in an effort to jump ahead of certain teams but I would be genuinely shocked if he makes it to the start of the 2025 NFL season as a free agent.
3. Justin Simmons
Credit: Mile High Sports
Drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2016, Justin Simmons has had a very solid career as a strong safety primarily being a 2 time pro bowler, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons last season and had a very quiet year. Simmons is by no means a bad safety but I don’t think you’ll find many people jumping to say he’s the best of all time. Over his entire career he has an average of 48.5 solo tackles and 4.5 interceptions, so nothing spectacular but for any team looking to beef up they’re defense and add a reliable piece at the safety position Justin Simmons is a more than viable option. Simmons is at the moment an unrestricted free agent and is not expected to sign with the Falcons again, he will be 32 going into this 2025 season. As is the case with all NFL players they must succumb to the passage of time, hopefully Simmons finds a spot and a team finds a use for him heading into this upcoming season.
4. Nick Chubb
Credit: Boston Herald
Rounding out our list is Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, he is heading into his 8th season this year after suffering what I believe to be one of the most gruesome injuries in NFL history. Many players enter the NFL as rookies with a laundry list of injuries and Chubb was one of them tearing his PCL, MCL, and LCL in his left knee in college. Unfortunately, that was not even the beginning. In just week 2 of the 2023 season playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chubb tore his knee in an incredibly gruesome fashion requiring two separate surgeries on the same knee he injured in college. After going through the entire recovery process and finally getting back to the field he fractured his foot the following season in a week 15 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite all these setbacks Chubb has had an incredible career as a sledgehammer running back. Chubb has had four almost five 1,000 yard seasons before his injuries. After finally recovering from all his injuries he returned in the 2024 season clearly looking like he has lost some of his steam but he appears to have more than enough in the tank to be a serviceable back at worst. Chubb has stated in interviews that he would like to stay with the Browns although there has been no official contract announcement, the NFL is the ultimate “what have you done for me lately” league and because of that there is no certainty that the browns will resign him however I would be beyond shocked if he isn’t signed with at least some team by the time the clock strikes 12 and the 2025 season kicks off. There is simply too many teams that could use a solid running back like Nick Chubb, injuries are always a hurdle as with any NFL player and I hope to see Chubb return to form this year and we pray that he doesn’t suffer any more injuries
