The NFL’s regular season is officially a wrap, and the order of the first 18 picks of the 2025 draft is now set. For those teams who missed out on the postseason, it’s officially time to turn the page to draft season—and that’s especially true for the Titans, who managed a late jump up to the no. 1 spot with their loss plus a Patriots win in Week 18. There are a lot of moving parts that will impact the way teams make their picks in this draft—with front office and coaching staff changes and free agency sure to shake things up—but here’s an early look at how the first round of this year’s draft could play out.
1
Tennessee Titans
QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
The Will Levis experiment is seemingly over for the Titans, and head coach and play caller Brian Callahan will almost surely be looking for a quarterback with a very different style—one who plays with a much more controlled and disciplined approach. Sanders fits that mold as a poised and accurate ball distributor who protects the football well (he posted a 1.2 percent turnover-worthy play rate, per PFF, which ranked fifth best among quarterbacks with 150 attempts in 2024). Sanders will have the chance to right the ship for Tennessee’s offense.
2
Cleveland Browns
WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
The Browns might be in the market for a quarterback at the no. 2 spot, but if they’re not completely sold on Cam Ward, it makes sense to grab the best pound-for-pound football player in the draft instead. Hunter is a playmaker at the cornerback position with excellent instincts and rare ball skills, and he’d give Cleveland’s defense yet another impact player. I’m not sure he’ll be a full-time player on both offense and defense at the next level, but at the very least, the Browns could utilize the Heisman winner as a pass catcher in certain situations.
3
New York Giants
QB Cam Ward, Miami
The Giants get their guy. Ward is a dynamic playmaker with a quick release, a penchant for the big play (with 28 big-time throws in 2024, per PFF, tied for fifth most in the country), and some out-of-structure playmaking talent. Ward is a five-year starter who should start right away for the G-Men, and his development will surely get a boost from throwing to ultra-talented pass catcher Malik Nabers.
4
New England Patriots
OT Will Campbell, LSU
The Patriots beat the Bills in Week 18 to lose out on the first pick, but they don’t need to draft a quarterback, so they still end up with a very good player here. Campbell can provide a massive boost to New England’s porous offensive line, boasting the light footwork and overall athleticism to play at left tackle but the demeanor and body type to fill in at guard. He gives the Pats the options they need up front to protect Drake Maye in 2025.
5
Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
This might feel a bit redundant for the Jaguars after the team struck gold with 2024 first-round receiver Brian Thomas Jr., but some of the best offenses in the NFL have at least two field-tilting pass catchers (think the Eagles with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Bengals with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Lions with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, or the Vikings with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison). Pairing a big, explosive ball winner like McMillan with Thomas could give Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense a massive boost in playmaking power, helping the quarterback put together his best season yet in 2025.
6
Las Vegas Raiders
CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Quarterback is a big need for the Raiders, of course, but with both Sanders and Ward off the board, Las Vegas looks to another position of need at this spot. In a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix, it’ll help to have a ball-hawk cornerback like Johnson, who racked up nine picks (including three pick-sixes) in his Wolverines career.
7
New York Jets
DT Mason Graham, Michigan
The Jets offense never played up to its potential this season under Aaron Rodgers. But it can’t be overlooked that much of the blame for this team’s failure falls on the defense—a group that ranked just 27th in DVOA through 17 weeks. Graham should give that unit a massive boost. The Michigan star is an explosive penetrator from the interior of the defensive line and is able to collapse the pocket before a quarterback can even finish his dropback.
8
Carolina Panthers
Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State
The Panthers have needs at multiple spots on their roster, but after tallying just 32 sacks in 2024—tied for third fewest in the league—the pass rush has to be a priority. Carter is an explosive, bendy athlete with elite closing burst off the edge. He’ll be a big help for a pass-rush-needy defense in Carolina.
9
New Orleans Saints
DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
The Saints add some beef to their defensive line here, grabbing a highly disruptive and versatile defensive lineman. A former Michigan State standout who transferred to Oregon in 2024, he’s a big, fluid mover with excellent length and the ability to rush the passer from multiple angles. His production speaks for itself: Harmon led all interior defensive linemen in pressures this season (55), per PFF, and he also racked up an impressive 25 stops. He gives the Saints another big body to build around up front.
10
Chicago Bears
OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
No quarterback was sacked more in the 2024 season than Caleb Williams. And while some of the blame for that issue falls on Williams himself, as he tends to hold on to the ball for too long, the team desperately needs an infusion of talent on the offensive line. Taking Banks here would be a nice start for this team and give Chicago a long-term answer for protecting Williams’s blind side.
11
San Francisco 49ers
Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
The Niners add an intriguing pass rusher here in Walker, who played all over the defensive front for the Bulldogs. He lines up and makes impact plays from the edge or off the ball, showing physicality and top-tier burst to the quarterback or ball carrier. He will be another versatile piece for the San Francisco defense.
12
Dallas Cowboys
Safety Malaki Starks, Georgia
Starks is an ultra-versatile defender who can impact every level of a defense, lining up and making plays deep and in the box. Possessing good size and playmaking instincts, he should provide a boost to a Cowboys defense that ranked 22nd in DVOA through 17 weeks.
13
Miami Dolphins
OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
The Dolphins bolster their offensive line after an underwhelming performance from that unit in the 2024 season. Simmons is a smooth mover with light feet and an always-balanced base. He has strong hands to control his opponent and mirrors well on the edge. The Buckeyes standout played in just five games this season before suffering a knee injury, but once healthy, he’ll have the skill set to emerge as a long-term solution for the Dolphins at either tackle spot.
14
Indianapolis Colts
Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia
The Colts ranked in the bottom third of all NFL defenses in sacks (36), pressures (123), and pressure rate (20.1 percent) this season, and as a team, they missed the most tackles, by a lot (149). Even after taking edge rusher Laiatu Latu in the first round of last year’s draft, Indy’s still in need of more help up front. Williams is big and physical and possesses elite length. He’s a strong run defender, and while he’s still developing his pass-rush repertoire, he has rare traits and sky-high upside.
15
Atlanta Falcons
Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
The Falcons had one of the least effective pass-rush groups in the NFL last year, so beefing up the defensive line should be priority no. 1. Scourton has a big, rugged frame and plays with power, physicality, and some nifty footwork. He’s an ascending talent who racked up 15 sacks over the past two seasons—one at Texas A&M and one at Purdue—and he still has room to develop (he doesn’t turn 21 until August).
16
Arizona Cardinals
Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
The Cardinals ranked in the bottom 10 of NFL defenses in pressure rate (18.1 percent), hurry rate (6.1 percent), and quarterback knockdown rate (6.1 percent) this season. They need more juice off the edge, and that’s exactly what Pierce brings to this unit. The former Volunteer is a twitchy rusher with good length who can feature right out of the gate as a pass-rush specialist in Arizona’s defensive line rotation.
17
Cincinnati Bengals
Edge Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
The Bengals defense collapsed this season, and now this unit needs talent upgrades at all three levels. Stewart is just that for the front seven: He’s big, physical, and explosive on the edge, and he brings the versatility to line up at multiple spots. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, he’s an energetic rusher who works his hands ferociously to discard blocks. He can give Cincy’s defensive line some much-needed juice.
18
Seattle Seahawks
OG Tyler Booker, Alabama
The Seahawks desperately need help along the interior offensive line, so while this may be generally considered a little bit high to take a guard, I doubt many Seahawks fans will be hand-wringing about positional value when Booker comes in and starts from day one. The Alabama standout is a road grader who plays with power in the run game, clearing out lanes and steamrolling defensive linemen. He should help boost Seattle’s anemic run game and give Geno Smith more workable pockets for the passing game.
19
Houston Texans
DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
The Texans bolster their defensive line by grabbing a versatile defender here in Nolen. The Ole Miss standout plays with a quick first step and blows by opponents with powerful swipes and club moves. He’ll bring penetrating power that the Texans staff can drop in next to Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
20
Denver Broncos
TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
The Broncos add some playmaking talent to their receiving corps here, adding a versatile tight end in Loveland. The Michigan star is a big-bodied athlete with a wide catch radius and some ability to run after the catch. He’s a nice addition for Bo Nix, who could use another mismatch-creator and red-zone threat in the passing game.
21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
The Buccaneers add some talent to their defensive line with this pick, grabbing an explosive, slippery rusher in Ezeiruaku. The Boston College standout is highly disruptive off the edge, bringing an effective array of pass-rush moves that leave opponents lunging. Ezeirauku racked up 59 pressures in 2024, per PFF, fifth most among FBS edge rushers, and tallied another 42 stops (second most). He’s a productive, energetic defender who can rotate in on Tampa Bay’s defensive front right away.
22
Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
The Steelers’ lack of depth at the receiver position was glaring for parts of this season, particularly when star pass catcher George Pickens missed time with a hamstring injury. Pittsburgh needs to reload the depth chart at that spot, and do just that in grabbing Burden here. A speedster who excels running after the catch and on deep balls, he fills a big need as an explosive play creator for the Steelers.
23
Los Angeles Rams
TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
The Rams add another playmaker to their offense. Tight end isn’t exactly the Rams’ biggest need, but Colby Parkinson hasn’t made a big impact, and Tyler Higbee is 32 years old—so now’s the time for the team to draft and develop at the position. Warren is a rugged athlete who does a little bit of everything for the Nittany Lions, lining up all over the formation, running crisp routes, and breaking tackles as a run-after-the-catch threat. There’s no doubt that Sean McVay will find creative ways to deploy him in the Rams offense.
24
Green Bay Packers
CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
The Packers keep adding talent to their defense. Morrison, whose 2024 season was cut short by a hip injury, is a tough, physical cornerback who brings ball-hawking traits to the pros. The son of former NFL safety Darryl Morrison, he’s racked up nine interceptions and 18 pass breakups in his three-year career at Notre Dame. He gives Green Bay another playmaker in the secondary who creates takeaways.
25
Los Angeles Chargers
RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Chargers offense needs more juice, particularly in the run game. While the combination of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards has been adequate for L.A. this year, adding a field-tilting, big-play threat like Jeanty could really boost an already ascending unit. Jeanty is an elite tackle-breaker and has proven chops as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
26
Washington Commanders
OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
The Commanders add talent to their offensive line with this pick. Ersery is a mountain of a man with smooth footwork and outstanding length. He has the traits to develop into a long-term starter at either tackle spot, and his surprising movement skills should fit the varied run game Washington employs with Jayden Daniels at the helm.
27
Baltimore Ravens
OG Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
The Ravens keep adding to their offensive line, grabbing a versatile people-mover in Savaiinaea here. The Wildcats standout brings an intriguing combination of length and power and has game experience at both guard and tackle.
28
Minnesota Vikings
DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
The Vikings add some beef to their interior defensive line, grabbing a 6-foot-3, 339-pound block eater in Grant. The Wolverines stalwart is a force against the run but also very nimble for his size, showing the ability to shoot through gaps and disrupt the pocket as a pass rusher, too.
29
Buffalo Bills
CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
The Bills look to bolster their secondary, grabbing a long-limbed and explosive cornerback in Revel. The former East Carolina standout missed most of the 2024 season with an ACL tear, but his combination of size, length, and athleticism is too much for Buffalo to pass up. Revel played in just three games this season, but still nabbed two picks. And his 13 pass breakups and 3.5 tackles for loss in 12 games in 2023 show the impact he makes on a defense.
30
Philadelphia Eagles
Edge Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
The Eagles love to build from the trenches and continue that strategy here, adding yet another productive presence on the edge. Umanmielan tallied 27 stops in 2024, per PFF, adding 54 pressures (tied for 12th most among FBS edge players). He posted a strong 29.5-percent win rate on true pass-rush sets. Alongside Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith (among others), Umanmielan helps give Philly plenty of options in its pass-rush package.
31
Kansas City Chiefs
OT Cameron Williams, Texas
The Chiefs look to shore up their offensive line with this pick. Williams is raw, with just one season of starting experience, but he’s a big man (6-foot-5, 335 pounds) who moves well and offers immense upside. He’ll have to work to cut down on penalties as he refines his technique, but he brings the length, power, and movement skills to play at tackle or guard for the Chiefs in the long term.
32
TRADE: Las Vegas Raiders (From Lions)
QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
There’s bound to be a handful of first-round trades come April, but one obvious spot in which we could see some movement is here near the end of the round. The Raiders make a jump up and back into the first in this trade with the Lions, grabbing one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in this class in Milroe. The former Alabama signal caller flashes shades of Jalen Hurts as a true dual-threat runner and passer. Milroe passed for 2,844 yards with 16 touchdowns to 11 picks this season, and added another 726 yards and 20 scores on the ground. He has a good arm to throw the ball deep and brings elite speed to the Las Vegas ground game—and he could help make this offense much more complicated to defend.
