There are just three games left this season, and many fans have already turned their eyes to the draft. It is still very early with free agency well over a month away, but this is my first crack at how things could play out in April.
1. TEN: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The dominoes that will fall in the 2025 NFL Draft begin at the No. 1 pick with Tennessee seemingly deciding between Sanders or Cam Ward. I think Sanders has definite shades of Joe Burrow in his game, so the fit in Brian Callahan’s system makes him the likely choice at this point.
2. CLE: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Cleveland declining to take a quarterback is certainly possible, but the front office may not want to pass up the opportunity—especially because they don’t expect to draft this high again. Ward is best described as a natural with an extremely calm play style.
3. NYG: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
If the first two picks are indeed quarterbacks, the intrigue will really set in depending on how the Giants attack the position in free agency (or the trade market). Hunter would be a superstar-level talent to build around on defense like Malik Nabers will be for the offense.
4. NE: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
New England might want to get help for Drake Maye with a top-five pick, but Mike Vrabel loving Carter is easy to imagine. I would be surprised if the first non-quarterbacks off the board weren’t Travis Hunter and Carter—though the order might be flipped.
5. JAX: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
It seems general manager Trent Baalke will remain in place with Jacksonville missing out on Ben Johnson, and I suspect he’ll want to “complete” the defensive line by adding Graham in between Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Trade downs also make sense for those who miss out on Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter.
6. LV: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
We still don’t know who the general manager or head coach will be for the next two selections, but we do know Tom Brady will have a significant say in all football matters for Las Vegas. Although Johnson dealt with injuries this year at Michigan, he’s fully expected to be the first cornerback off the board (excluding Travis Hunter).
7. NYJ: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Jets are very happy with Olu Fashanu as their left tackle of the future, but passing on Brock Bowers was a move questioned by many. This year, the new regime might ignore positional value to get an immediate impact player in Starks—who is well worth a top-10 selection.
8. CAR: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia
I think Walker to Carolina will be one of the pairings that sticks throughout the draft cycle, and he’s being severely undervalued with some mainstream analysts not even having him in the top 50. If my hunch about Walker being a perfect fit for the Panthers is off, perhaps they’ll get another big-bodied target in Tetairoa McMillan.
9. NO: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Saints were absolutely depleted at wide receiver this season, but Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed should be fully healthy as two speed threats for Derek Carr—while McMillan could step in seamlessly alongside them. Of course, we need to find out what happens with the head coach (not to mention free agency).
10. CHI: Will Campbell, G, LSU
Hiring Ben Johnson was the first step, but Ryan Poles must solidify the offensive line this offseason to give Caleb Williams a better chance of having success. Whether it’s at guard or left tackle, Campbell has the demeanor that Poles will covet up front.
11. SF: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
While this is higher than many will have Grant, the gap is close between him and teammate Mason Graham in my opinion. A young defensive nucleus of Renardo Green, Ji’Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, and Grant around Nick Bosa and Fred Warner would be very exciting.
12. DAL: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Cowboys frankly haven’t drafted as well over the past couple of years, but Jeanty would be a case of best player available—giving them two offensive centerpieces with CeeDee Lamb and the rookie. If Jeanty isn’t the pick, Dallas could opt to go in the trenches on either side of the ball.
13. MIA: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Banks’ stock took a hit this year with a particularly tough showing versus Georgia, but I’m optimistic about the potential, and he did deal with injuries. Even after taking Patrick Paul in the second round last year, Miami needs to add more pieces on the offensive line.
14. IND: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Warren should be a stone-cold lock to go in the top 20, and Indy will be a clear connection over the next three months. In general, the Colts need more firepower to support Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor.
15. ATL: James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee
Atlanta improved the pass rush down the stretch and will be further boosted by the hiring of Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator—but they still need more on the edge. A potential long-term duo of Pearce and Arnold Ebiketie could be extremely disruptive.
16. ARI: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
The Cardinals are a difficult team to peg at this stage, so Williams makes sense as a moldable defensive end who can allow 2024 first-rounder Darius Robinson to kick inside more. And with Robinson only playing in five games as a rookie, it’s almost like Arizona is getting two early draft picks if both can emerge in the fall.
17. CIN: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Morrison missed the second half of the season with a hip injury, but I love his upside enough to be a definite first-round pick. Cincinnati having young options at cornerback shouldn’t prevent them from taking Morrison, and I am guessing Tee Higgins will be re-signed.
18. SEA: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Jackson isn’t getting much buzz at all despite being a top-tier guard and then showing extremely well at left tackle after injuries struck Ohio State this season. That said, the Seahawks make sense as a team where he would slide right in at left guard to help open holes for the running backs.
19. TB: Mike Green, OLB, Marshall
The Buccaneers not quite finding a difference-maker on the edge is one of the only complaints about their drafts under general manager Jason Licht—but Green is another swing at the position. In his final college season, Green exploded for an FBS-leading 17.0 sacks.
20. DEN: Shemar Stewart, DT, Texas A&M
Denver is in an awkward spot that could prompt a trade up with Ashton Jeanty and Tyler Warren being two ideal targets, but Stewart could be a fallback option. I like the rotating collection of defensive linemen behind Zach Allen, and Stewart’s effort and play style would fit the group nicely.
21. PIT: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Milroe is the wild card of the draft to me, but I would be shocked if Pittsburgh passed on him if still on the board here. When discussing the state of the position after the season, Mike Tomlin mentioned both Lamar Jackson (drafted No. 32) and Jalen Hurts (drafted No. 53) not being early first-round picks.
22. LAC: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
You can be sure Loveland will be a name tied to the Chargers after he played for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and he was expected to be the first tight end off the board before Tyler Warren’s emergence. In two years under Harbaugh, Loveland averaged a strong 14.5 yards per reception.
23. GB: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
I remain high on Romeo Doubs, but Matt LaFleur expressed concern about the concussions this season, and Christian Watson’s status is in doubt after suffering a torn ACL. That could leave Green Bay desiring a clearer No. 1 option to break up their typical spread-the-wealth approach, and maybe Burden will be their target to help boost Jordan Love.
24. MIN: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Minnesota needs to be better in the draft to avoid falling off in 2025, and trading down could be the eventual move to recoup the picks lost in the trade up for Dallas Turner last year. I don’t think having Harrison Phillips under contract for two more seasons would prevent Williams from being the pick for a defense that prioritizes stopping the run.
25. HOU: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Texans will get Stefon Diggs back off a torn ACL next year, but the gruesome injury for Tank Dell has them in need of more options for C.J. Stroud to play how they want to on offense. Golden showed remarkable ball skills in the College Football Playoff in addition to the vertical skillset, so he should go high.
26. LAR: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Fannin led college football in receiving with 1,555 yards—including a monster 17/213/1 line in the 68 Ventures Bowl. The Rams got Tyler Higbee healthy down the stretch and signed Colby Parkinson last offseason, but Fannin can give them another tackle-breaking weapon along with Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua.
27. BAL: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Conerly is one of my favorite players in the draft and is another prospect that the media is far too low on right now—but this would be a dream scenario for Baltimore if they lose Ronnie Stanley to free agency. For as talented as the Ravens are, though, they could realistically go in a few different directions here.
28. DET: JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State
Tuimoloau came back to school to chase a national championship, and he not only accomplished that—but also boosted his draft stock in a big way with 6.5 sacks in the College Football Playoff. Detroit will get Aidan Hutchinson back in 2025, and “JTT” is a hard-nosed defender that Dan Campbell would love to add as well.
29. WAS: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Wide receiver and cornerback are two needs for Washington, but Simmons could be the long-term option at either tackle spot to pair with Brandon Coleman entering Year 2. As the Commanders look to build on this season and remain competitive with Jayden Daniels on his rookie contract, they’ll need to continue hitting on draft picks.
30. BUF: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
The Bills could lose Rasul Douglas to free agency this offseason, so general manager Brandon Beane might seek a replacement in the draft. Amos has the best size/skillset combination to match the mold of the longer cornerbacks that Buffalo has opted for in recent seasons.
31. KC: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Harmon transferred from Michigan State to Oregon last year, and the move helped unlock his full potential as a possible Round 1 selection. This appears to be a very deep class for interior defensive linemen, but the Chiefs could still take one here with four already off the board.
32. NYG (mock trade w/ PHI): Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
The Giants getting a “stop-gap” option at quarterback wouldn’t prevent them from making a move back into the first round if they like another signal-caller enough—and Dart has generated surprising smoke as the draft process gets underway. Similar to the coaching carousel, we’ll have more clarity once NFL quarterbacks find new homes in March.