Essendon ruckman Sam Draper has already been flagged as one of the more in-demand players in 2025 as he is bound to enter free agency.

Hailing from South Australia, reports have already indicated that Adelaide will push the envelope in luring him back to his home state.

The Crows have already begun looking at life after club stalwart Reilly O'Brien, who hits the age of 30 and comes out of contract this year, while the lack of depth in the ruck department is an area of concern.

Draper would immediately allay fears the West Lakes club would have, allowing the 26-year-old to work in tandem with the young and emerging midfield of Izak Rankine, Jake Soligo, recruit James Peatling as well as experienced heads Jordan Dawson, Matt Crouch and Rory Laird.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Sam Draper of the Bombers warms up during the 2024 AFL Round 07 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

According to a report byย The Age, Adelaide is an "interested party" in the ruck market, and, with the Bombers tall coming out of contract, have an interest in Draper's services.

The report continued to suggest that Draper could earn in the arena of $800,000 given the demand of a star ruckman in the competition.

Western Bulldogs' Tim English was said to have knocked back rival interest of about $1 million while Carlton's Tom De Koning could weigh up a godfather of about $12 million over seven years from St Kilda.

While Draper has yet to reach the heights of his counterparts, the 26-year-old has already shown his potential and would be a massive coup for the Crows.

Looking at the other side of the coin, Essendon would desperately like to keep the former Soccer talent.

Veteran ruck Todd Goldstein is all but set to retire at season's end following 19 years and well over 300 AFL games.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Sam Draper of the Bombers and teammate Nick Bryan in action during the Essendon Bombers AFL training session at The Hangar on January 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The case of Nick Bryan is also an area of intrigue after biding his time in the VFL for the past four years, playing 19 senior games, but has shown he can compete at the level.

Bryan - who also comes out of contract in 2025 - is expected to receive more senior opportunities this year, with the Bombers seeing a quartet of games between him and Draper working in tandem in the final month of last year's campaign.