Round 1


The Titans had the worst passing attack in the NFL in 2024, and after securing the 1st overall pick in the 2025 draft, it appears they are zeroing in on Cam Ward to be their next franchise quarterback atop the draft. Ward has accuracy issues and is not a prototypical No. 1 overall talent, but has upside and has become the consensus top-QB in this weak draft class.


The Browns appear likely to pass on Shedeur Sanders at No. 2 overall in a weaker draft class with only three blue-chip talents (Hunter, Carter, Jeanty). They might opt for the best player available (BPA) and try to trade up for Sanders from their No. 33 pick, or hope he slips out of R1 so they can stick and pick him. While Abdul Carter is often linked to the Browns at No. 2, he's not a clean fit in a 4-3 defense and a base end, and this writer still has a higher grade on Travis Hunter. Hunter's unique skill set as a generational two-way player makes him stand out. Hunter excels at cornerback and wide receiver, with Pro Bowl-level potential, though opinions differ on his best position. Browns GM Andrew Berry has indicated the team views Hunter primarily as a receiver.


Like Cleveland, the Giants appear ready to take BPA over forcing a reach at quarterback. Whilst Russell Wilson may no longer be among the NFL's elite, he at least provides New York with a solid foundation in 2025 to postpone addressing the quarterback position for another year. Carter has emerged as a dominant edge rusher after moving from off-ball linebacker, delivering remarkable production in his first full season as a odd-front rush linebacker. His extraordinary football IQ and athleticism position him as a potential future All-Pro talent.


The Patriots would love to draft Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter, but both being selected in the top-3 is a scenario that seems increasingly probable. Should this occur, the team may shift focus to their offensive line, which has several glaring weaknesses. While the Patriots have veteran options at right tackle (Morgan Moses, Mike Onwenu), their left tackle and guard positions lack players of starting caliber. Will Campbell presents an intriguing option, showcasing exceptional skills, a high NFL floor, and A+ athleticism. However, his arm length, measured at 32.5 to 33 inches during the combine and pro day, poses a significant challenge to his ability to succeed as an LT in the NFL—making him a notable outlier at the position. While Campbell offers considerable upside as a guard if LT proves untenable, selecting him at No. 4 raises valid concerns regarding value.


Although Mason Graham is frequently mocked to the Jaguars, his status as a non-elite defensive tackle with athletic limitations makes a top-5 selection improbable. Similarly, Will Johnson appears to be slipping out of contention for such a high pick. Despite the Jaguars addressing their offensive line in free agency with Mekhari and Hainsey, neither player feels like a reliable long-term solution. Furthermore, Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland, despite receiving extensions, remain upgradeable options. Meanwhile, Armand Membou has skyrocketed up draft boards. His combine performance wasn’t merely exceptional—it was historic—earning comparisons to elite athletic specimens like Trent Williams and Tristan Wirfs. Paired with what is arguably the best offensive line tape of 2024 and his rare ability to excel at four positions, Membou presents a compelling case as a top-5 prospect.


While the debate over selecting running backs in the top 10 remains contentious within the draft community, the success of recently highly drafted RBs has reignited its viability. Ashton Jeanty, however, is far from an ordinary running back. A candidate for the top prospect in the class, Jeanty stands out as an extraordinarily dominant runner with elite field vision, exceptional catching ability, and a knack for breaking tackles. His rare skillset means than Jeanty likely ends up a top-5 running back for the forseeable future, and one expects him to becomea game-changing force at the next level.


Justin Fields' career revival hinges on adding another reliable target beyond Garrett Wilson. Tyler Warren, coming off a stellar 2024 season, stands out as a rare tight-end prospect with top-10 potential. Widely regarded as one of the draft's premier players, Warren has been frequently linked to New York. As a receiving tight end, Warren delivered elite production, showcasing his ability to be a dynamic offensive weapon. While his blocking may not reach elite levels, he projects as a functional to solid in-line blocker, adding versatility to his game. For the Jets, Warren could be the perfect addition to elevate their offense and provide Fields with a much-needed weapon.


Given the Panthers’ league-worst pass rush, selecting an edge rusher seems highly likely. While James Pearce Jr. could be an ideal Brian Burns replacement, his significant character concerns have been widely reported and may cause him to slide down the draft board. This writer is not that higher on Jalon Walker, viewing him more as a tweener than truly versatile; Walker might excel as a sub-package pass rusher but lacks polish for a full-time role. Walker’s success as a pass rusher hinges on a 3-4 defensive scheme, and I think working with Ejiro Evero could be a good fit.


The Saints have a litany of needs here and really could consider virtually any prospect they view as BPA. Combining the best player available on my board with a particularly glaring need with less depth than defensive line, Will Johnson would be this writer's pick here. Concerns about his play speed have reportedly caused hesitation among teams, potentially leading to a slide on draft day. However, Johnson is undeniably a top-10 talent with the potential to develop into a dominant CB1 at the professional level.


Ashton Jeanty is likely the top option here - D'Andre Swift isn't very good, and incoming head coach Ben Johnson was part of the regime that jettisoned him for the far superior Jahmyr Gibbs. However, he appears likely to be gone in the top-10. Instead, Reminiscent of the Jets' selection of Olu Fashanu last year, the Bears continue their overhaul of the offensive line by selecting Kelvin Banks Jr. Braxton Jones, while a serviceable to solid starter, is notably injury-prone and approaching a contract year with a front office that didn't originally draft him. Banks offers immediate value as a versatile swing tackle who could step in at either tackle or guard in the event of an injury. By next season, he has the potential to secure a full-time starting role. Banks had amongst the best tape of any offensive lineman in this draft last season and is a worthy top-16 selection in April.


San Francisco's defense was woeful this season, and their defensive line's lack of talent (Nick Bosa as the lone starter on their defensive line), EDGE and DT are the clear top options to address in the early rounds of the 2025 draft. While Shemar Stewart's raw potential and Mykel Williams' high floor would be intriguing here, the team's urgent need at defensive tackle cannot be overstated. Kenneth Grant stands out as the ideal pick here, thanks to his elite athleticism, dominant run-stopping ability, and developing pass-rush skills. Although Mason Graham's stronger reputation may make this selection surprising, Grant's superior athletic upside and multi-gap versatility—crucial for a scheme that values dynamic linemen—set him apart.


The Cowboys have long relied on CeeDee Lamb as their offensive centerpiece, but the lack of a strong complementary receiver has left their passing game one-dimensional. Addressing this need, they capitalize on Tetairoa McMillan's perceived speed concerns and a draft class heavy on trench talent to secure him as a high-end No. 2 option. McMillan brings a skill set reminiscent of Drake London or Mike Evans, combining size, physicality, and contested-catch ability. He stands out as one of the safer prospects in this draft, offering both a high floor and an impressive ceiling. In this writer's view, McMillan is the only wide receiver in this class, aside from Travis Hunter, with true WR1 potential—a move that could elevate the Cowboys' offense to new heights.


The Dolphins have significant needs in their secondary, but their offensive and defensive fronts need significant help. The Dolphins never truly replaced Christian Wilkins and it showed in 2024. Mason Graham is overrated as a potential top-10 prospect, as he is far from elite and comes with physical limitations. However, Graham is an ultra-consistent prospect who excels as both a stout run defender and a disruptive interior pass rusher. Graham’s high floor and consistent play-style makes him an excellent choice here for Miami.


The Colts are favourites to draft Tyler Warren here, but in the eventuality he's gone, Nick Emmanwori feels like a great fit. His ridiculous athleticism and quality tape feels like something Chris Ballard would value highly, and new DC Lou Anarumo valued safeties highly in Cincinatti. Regardless of positional value, Nick Emmanwori stands out as one of the premier talents in the 2025 NFL Draft. A towering safety with exceptional coverage skills, ball-hawking ability, and remarkable athleticism—highlighted by his standout NFL Combine performance—Emmanwori has all the tools to excel at the next level. His impressive tape, elite physical traits, and the demand for talent at his position make him a strong candidate to be selected within the top 20 picks. He'd pair nicely with FA signing Camryn Bynum.


"The Falcons' heavy focus on quarterbacks in the 2024 draft left their pass rush, which managed just 31 sacks last season, largely neglected. Addressing this critical weakness must be a priority in the upcoming draft. Williams brings a strong physical skill set and significant upside. Known for his stout run defense, Williams has the potential to develop as a pass rusher and provide a high Day-1 floor at the next level. Even while battling injuries in 2024, he recorded 5 sacks. This could also be an intriguing spot to consider a safety like Nick Emmanwori or Malaki Starks, as the Falcons could look to replace Justin Simmons.


The Cardinals still have significant defensive needs at all levels, positioning them to select the best player available (BPA) in this draft. With a solid rotation of rush linebackers—Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Baron Browning, and BJ Ojulari—they now have an opportunity to bolster their defensive line. Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, a physically gifted 3-4 defensive end, offers immense potential and could pair effectively with Darius Robinson. Though Stewart is a boom-or-bust prospect with underwhelming collegiate production, averaging just 1.5 sacks per season across three years, his extraordinary athleticism and upside make him a top-25 contender. The gamble lies in his development, but with his physical tools and the right coaching, Stewart has the potential to unlock his ability as a disruptive force in the NFL.