We’ll see if the top eight many projected comes to be, but there’s no question the 2025 NFL Draft is as unpredictable as ever—at least for the final three quarters of the first round. Because there are a bunch of solid players—but maybe not as many arguable clear top prospects—there is said to be a ton of variation in teams’ big boards. So, buckle up for what could be a fun night. These are some things to watch in the draft.
Top 10 fireworks?
Things have been a bit too quiet dating all the way back to last draft, as all 32 teams currently hold their first-round pick for the first time in the common draft era (since 1967). But don’t be surprised if we see a massive trade out of nowhere. The Browns at No. 2 and the Giants at No. 3 are said to be taking trade calls, and maybe a team blows them away with a final Godfather offer while they’re on the clock.
There are some rumblings that the Jaguars want to move up (presumably for Travis Hunter), but that tells me they might not be thrilled with what they’re expecting to be available at No. 5—so a trade back could be a possibility. The Broncos are reportedly making calls into the top 10. Would they go as high as No. 5 to get Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, potentially keeping him from the Raiders at No. 6? It’d be a headache having to take on a big-play threat like Jeanty twice per year in the division.
The No. 8 pick held by the Panthers is the clearest path for a trade up, though. If the Jaguars go with someone like Tetairoa McMillan or Tyler Warren over Jeanty, and the Raiders don’t take the star running back, a team like Denver or Dallas (at No. 12) could move up to No. 8 for him.
The fireworks don’t have to come from trades, though. The heavily projected top four picks of Cam Ward (Titans), Travis Hunter (Browns), Abdul Carter (Giants), and Will Campbell (Patriots) could suddenly go in a different direction, particularly at No. 4 if all the Campbell smoke—with many believing he doesn’t fit the “best player available” mantra the Patriots have been selling after not following it in last year’s draft—is inaccurate. Basically, one pick going differently than widely expected throws things off and makes everything even more unpredictable.
The quarterbacks and trades back into the first
Looking to the bottom half of Round 1, we could see plenty of shuffling for quarterbacks like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough is even getting some first-round buzz. The Giants, Browns, Saints, and Steelers (with no second-round pick, so they might need to get their guy at No. 21) are the obvious quarterback landing spots, but I wouldn’t count out relative surprises like the Rams, Seahawks, and Jets targeting the position.
It sounds like Cleveland would love to get Shedeur, and late talk—including from Giants general manager Joe Schoen’s own son on Instagram—has New York liking Dart. While Sanders has been connected to Pittsburgh lately, I think the Steelers might stick at No. 21 and just take Milroe. That’s what I’d project for those three right now, but a team like the Saints—connected to all three to some extent—could get aggressive.
The Vikings own just four draft picks right now, so their selection at No. 24 is certainly one to watch.
Trades in the teens
The Falcons at No. 15 and the Cardinals at No. 16 right in middle of the draft figure to be two spots where those clubs would love to move back. The question is if anyone is willing to move up. Which brings us to…
Super Bowl hopefuls
Would teams like the Bills and Chiefs near the end of the first round love someone that’s available in the teens enough to move up double-digit spots and secure them? Again, it sounds like there is so much variation in rankings and players stacked similarly that everyone might be patient and get someone they’re happy with. But if there’s someone a championship hopeful really loves, it could be enough that we see a huge leap up the board.
Veteran trades
On the flip side, if teams just aren’t that high on the players available at their pick, a trade for a veteran might be the path they take. While I think he’d form an awesome duo with DK Metcalf, super talented Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is a big name who could be on the move. The Trey Hendrickson contract situation with the Bengals is something to monitor, and we know Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is likely to be traded at some point. And if the Jaguars draft Jeanty, teams should be checking in on Travis Etienne Jr.