With one game remaining in the NFL season and the Senior Bowl underway this week, we’ve officially entered draft season. There’s so much to unpack: which quarterbacks are worthy of top-five buzz, which defensive prospects are the most talented, and, of course, what happens with Travis Hunter?
Let’s dive into how the 2025 NFL Draft could look in April.
1) Tennessee Titans: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
“We won’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL Draft” was the statement made by Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker that will be referenced often over the next few months.
Is this an indication of them targeting Hunter or Abdul Carter? Regardless of which prospect he’s talking about, it’s too soon in the process to assume they won’t pick their next quarterback, hopefully for the next decade-plus. Shedeur Sanders is the safest selection for Tennessee, a complete polar opposite of Will Levis. His accuracy, poise, and decision-making will make him an impactful rookie.
2) Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Browns’ quarterback situation is easily the worst in the NFL. Being tied down to an exorbitant cap number from Deshaun Watson coming off an Achilles injury extremely complicates their decision-making at that spot.
With so many variables, taking the most gifted prospect in the class is the smartest move. Abdul Carter boasts rare burst and power, and he was very productive in his first year as a pure pass rusher at Penn State.
3) New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Thanks to the Browns’ mess, the Giants can fix their own.
Cam Ward provides a very bright future and a high ceiling for their offense. His elite arm strength and unique poise are what New York needs to right the ship.
4) New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
So, so many problems to fix in New England. With a significant amount of roster holes, why not select a player that can fill two? Hunter likely best projects as an outside corner who contributes occasionally on offense. His high-level impact and star power will be a massive boost for the Patriots.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Michigan’s Will Johnson is one of the few blue-chip prospects in this class. His elite instincts, hip fluidity, and length are what makes him a rare find for a cornerback prospect. Just like the last time the Jaguars drafted a corner fifth overall with Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville can have an All-Pro-caliber cornerback.
6) Las Vegas Raiders: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Pete Carroll has always been a defensive-minded head coach, driving all of his success from overwhelming defenses. James Pearce Jr. playing opposite Maxx Crosby will create a formidable duo necessary to keep up with the quarterback talent in the AFC West.
7) New York Jets: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Although the Jets’ defense is already very talented, they could use a boost to their secondary. Malaki Starks is a fluid, lockdown player in man coverage who can be deployed as a multi-use weapon by first-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
8) Carolina Panthers: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Panthers are another case of a roster just needing an injection of talent at most positions. Going best available and getting a highly disruptive defensive tackle in Mason Graham would create one of the most underrated defensive lines in the NFL.
9) New Orleans Saints: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Saints only totaled 39 sacks on the year this season, finishing 19th. While there has been investment in improving their pass rush, the Saints can take advantage of selecting a powerful EDGE prospect with Nic Scourton.
10) Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The top priority for Chicago this offseason has to be building an impenetrable wall in front of Caleb Williams. Kelvin Banks Jr. has high upside as a left tackle, with the power and feet to be a franchise cornerstone for the Bears.
11) San Francisco 49ers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Shavon Revel Jr. is one of the biggest physical outliers in this draft class, listed at 6’1 ½” with 32 ⅝” arms. His range, athleticism, and ball skills are that of the ideal cornerback prospect. The 49ers would be more than excited to add him to an already strong defense.
12) Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Ashton Jeanty becoming a Cowboy feels like a match made in heaven. With the history of elite running backs in Dallas, Jeanty being the next in line is too perfect not to project. As we saw this year, they desperately need a highly impactful running back and Jeanty is a consistent home run threat.
13) Miami Dolphins: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
It appears that Tyreek Hill could be on his way out of Miami, meaning the Dolphins will need a new running mate for Jaylen Waddle. Luther Burden III is a YAC monster, so his skill set would play off Waddle’s nicely.
14) Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Anthony Richardson’s early career is on life support, and Indianapolis needs to do everything possible to keep it alive. Bolstering their offensive line with the best guard prospect in the class is how they can effectively accomplish raising the floor of the Colts’ offense.
15) Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The second-worst pass rush in the NFL this season was the Falcons (31 sacks). Safe to say they need to have urgency in addressing their defensive line. Thankfully for them, this class is loaded with EDGE talent, and the overwhelmingly powerful Mykel Williams is the best candidate at No. 15 overall.
16) Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Kenneth Grant is going to be a likely riser through this draft class for how rare of an athlete he is for a 6’3”, 340-pounder. Right now, the Cardinals’ defense desperately lacks these types of athletes.
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Missing the playoffs because of their extremely porous defense was disappointing for the Bengals. Cincinnati needs to add a premier playmaker to their secondary, and Nick Emmanwori is that guy. Emmanwori is another player who will be a riser during this class because of his insane size and speed combination that will make him a nightmare for opposing offenses in the NFL.
18) Seattle Seahawks: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
The Seahawks allowed the third-most sacks in the NFL in 2024 with 54. LSU’s Will Campbell projects best as a guard but has the technique and football IQ to contribute wherever the Seahawks need him to.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Buccaneers right now are lacking a game-changing pass rusher on the outside. Shemar Stewart wasn’t very productive in college, but he has the athleticism and bend to develop into a consistent presence for Tampa Bay.
20) Denver Broncos: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Bo Nix burst onto the scene with a fantastic rookie season, but we saw the limitations of the Broncos’ offense in their playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. Supplying Nix with a go-to and consistent tight end like Tyler Warren is a no-brainer.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Outside of an inconsistent George Pickens, the Steelers have no dangerous pass-catching weapons. Emeka Egbuka is a quick-footed slot receiver who has the craftiness to play off of Pickens’ strengths.
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Last draft, Jim Harbaugh picked two of his former players from Michigan. Harbaugh has also built his offenses around athletic tight ends. Colston Loveland becoming a Charger makes too much sense.
23) Green Bay Packers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Benjamin Morrison’s projection is a tricky one for this class because of the multiple injuries he suffered while at Notre Dame. However, he’s extremely sticky in coverage and a fluid athlete. The Packers’ secondary would be impossible to throw against with Morrison in the mix.
24) Minnesota Vikings: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
The Vikings’ run defense is one of the best in the NFL this year, but that shouldn’t stop them from boosting the talent in the interior of their defensive line. Omarr Norman-Lott is one of the least talked-about defensive tackle prospects in this class. His flexibility and power are what the Vikings need to take on the dominant rushing attacks in the NFC North.
25) Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Texans’ offensive line was flat-out awful this year and was blatantly what held them back in the final two months of the season. Josh Simmons had an impressive start to the season before going down with a season-ending injury at Ohio State. His feet and power are some of the best in the class.
26) Los Angeles Rams: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
With speculation of the Rams losing Cooper Kupp this offseason or in the near future, finding the next receiver to play alongside Puka Nacua is important to address in this draft. Tetairoa McMillan is a jump-ball dominator with the physicality to win through contact often.
27) Baltimore Ravens: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Jalon Walker just feels like a Ravens defender. Having a high motor, and being highly disruptive are the exact traits the Ravens always look for in defensive prospects. Walker checks all of those boxes.
28) Detroit Lions: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
A running mate to play alongside Aidan Hutchinson needs to be found by the Lions this offseason. Landon Jackson has the motor and power to direct attention away from Hutchinson.
29) Washington Commanders: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
The Commanders are another team that needs to prioritize protecting their young star quarterback this offseason. Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinaea has the length and foot speed to either slot in at guard or tackle for Washington.
30) Buffalo Bills: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Finally stopping the Kansas City Chiefs is priority No. 1 for the Bills from here on out. Getting more athletic on defense to keep up with their offense is how they bridge the gap. Jihaad Campbell has elite downhill speed and isn’t afraid to deliver massive blows to ballcarriers.
31) Philadelphia Eagles: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Philadelphia’s roster is loaded, but rounding out their receiver room is a luxury they can afford to pursue. Matthew Golden took over multiple games in the final stretch of the 2024 season because of his fantastic feet, burst, and concentration.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Armand Membou, IOL, Missouri
If the Chiefs are unable to retain Trey Smith in free agency, they’ll be able to find a replacement at the end of the first round. Armand Membou boasts great length and light feet as a former right tackle. Plugging him into an already quality offensive line will be an easy move.
