Now, we all know there will be trades once the picks start flying tonight. But given the sense of uncertainty around this year’s proceedings — maximum chaos ahead? — I won’t venture to guess which deals might come together in this exercise. It won’t be a shock, though, if a QB-needy team (or two) trades into the back end of Round 1 for a passer.
Here is my final projection for the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Programming note: Tune in for live coverage of Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft beginning at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network, NFL+, the NFL Channel, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
The Titans use a top-10 pick on a quarterback for the fourth time in the last 20 years, hoping Ward and Brian Callahan can unlock some magic.
Cleveland doesn’t pass up a chance to select a potential once-in-a-lifetime player. Hunter immediately becomes a weapon on offense and can be used in certain packages on defense, as well.
While the long-term quarterback need looms large, the Giants don’t see value at the position that matches such a high pick. They select Carter and look to recreate the dominant pass rush that was critical to the team’s two Super Bowl wins in this century.
As I’ve been saying since last month, the Jaguars should not turn down an opportunity to snag Jeanty, the best player available at No. 5. Based on the buzz of the last few days, I don’t think they will.
The Jets have had a revolving door at right tackle for the past few seasons. In this simulation, they hope Membou and left tackle Olu Fashanu can bookend the offensive line for the next decade.
The Panthers are coming off a historically bad season on defense. Drafting Walker is a big step back toward respectability on that side of the ball.
The biggest stunner of the night comes at No. 9, with the Saints picking Booker earlier than most expected the hulking guard to come off the board. New Orleans could go in a number of directions here, including addressing the defensive line, but Kellen Moore looks for a building block on the offensive line first.
The board falls Ben Johnson’s way, giving him a chance to start his career as a head coach with a weapon who opens a lot of possibilities for the offense.
We might see a party break out in the 49ers’ draft room if Graham — NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah’s No. 4 overall prospect — falls all the way to San Francisco at No. 11. That is, unless Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen is the DT they prefer, as the most recent buzz has suggested.
If Raheem Morris can unlock Williams’ potential, he has a chance to become an elite NFL pass rusher, something the Falcons have sorely lacked for far too long.
For the third straight year, Arizona uses its top pick on an Ohio State product. Simmons joins Paris Johnson to give the Cardinals a pair of Buckeye bookends with long-term potential.
The Bengals have to be on the lookout for someone who can either complement or replace Trey Hendrickson. New DC Al Golden’s task is to bring Stewart along from a production standpoint (just 4.5 sacks over three seasons at Texas A&M). He has the traits to be a monster off the edge.
If the Seahawks don’t trade out of this pick, this seems like a spot to shore up the offensive line. They go with Zabel, who can start at guard from the jump and has the versatility to fill in elsewhere on the line in a pinch.
“Best player available” vibes here. Campbell gets a chance to soak up wisdom from Lavonte David, one of the top off-ball linebackers of his era, before it’s his time to be the guy.
Sean Payton finds the tone-setter the Broncos have been lacking in Hampton, who can take some pressure off Bo Nix’s shoulders.
Jim Harbaugh continues to build his team through the trenches, reconnecting with a fellow Michigan Man in the process.
Packers fans assembled at the draft site get to witness history for their franchise, as Green Bay selects a receiver in Round 1 for the first time in 23 years. Jordan Love approves!
GM Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans continue their mission to rebuild the Texans’ offensive line, reuniting C.J. Stroud with his former Ohio State teammate.
It won’t be a surprise if the Rams trade down in a deal with a team looking to move up for a quarterback. In this scenario, they bolster the secondary with a cornerback who has sub-4.3 speed and the ball skills to be a headache for offenses.
Buffalo ends Johnson’s slide after injuries marred his 2024 season and pre-draft process. Cornerback is a spot the Bills must address, and the pedigreed cover man’s value at No. 30 overrides potential concerns about him not running a 40-yard dash for teams.
Another year, another draft where one of the top defensive players in the class falls into the Eagles’ lap. DC Vic Fangio will love his options in the secondary.
