Abdul Carter of the Penn State Nittany Lions before a game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., on Dec. 21, 2024. Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
The 2025 NFL Draft Combine is taking place this week in Indianapolis, which means we’re once again talking about football despite spring training opening and the NBA and NHL regular seasons in their respective playoff pushes.
As players weigh in, run around cones and show us who the fastest players are heading to the NFL this spring, let’s take a look at how the first round of the draft might play out.
Tennessee Titans—Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
The Titans’ front office is on record saying they want to take an elite player at No. 1 overall. While they have needs all over their roster, the only two players in this class that are “elite” at their positions are Carter and Travis Hunter. Taking a game-changing pass rusher presents more value. Carter has been compared to another Penn State rusher, Micah Parsons.
Cleveland Browns—Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Like the Titans, the Browns have holes everywhere. And their offseason became more complicated when their best player, defensive end Myles Garrett, asked to be traded. Their biggest glaring need, however, is still quarterback. The DeShaun Watson trade/contract is one of the all-time mistakes in NFL history. Ward is not the consensus No. 1 quarterback in this class, but he’s probably the most pro-ready.
New York Giants—Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Right now, the first two picks in this draft—at least the Browns taking a quarterback—feel as though they’re pretty set. This is where the draft could shift in a number of directions. The Giants need a quarterback (again), which would put Shedeur Sanders in play. But their offensive line is also a mess, as is their secondary. Taking the best offensive tackle in the draft makes too much sense—if they aren’t sold on Sanders being their guy.
New England Patriots—Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
What the Giants do will have a direct impact on the Patriots’ pick here. They too need to address their offensive line. But after Campbell, there isn’t a prospect that makes a lot of sense this high. They also need to fix their secondary and get some help for last year’s top pick, quarterback Drake Maye. Hunter is a legitimate unicorn in that he’s the top-rated corner and wide receiver. He would help the Patriots on either side of the ball—maybe both.
Jacksonville Jaguars—Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Jaguars also have plenty of needs, but their most glaring area to address is their secondary. They might need multiple corners and safeties. It might feel a little high for Johnson at five overall, so a trade back might be in play here—especially if Sanders is still available in front of the Raiders. Johnson is a legitimate shutdown corner and would fill a need for Jacksonville immediately.
Las Vegas Raiders—Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders has met with the Raiders. His father has been open about the idea of this being a good fit. Whether or not the Raiders believe that is what we’ll learn if he’s available when they’re on the clock. I wouldn’t bet against Vegas taking him here.
New York Jets—Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
With the Jets moving on from Aaron Rodgers, they need a quarterback. They also need help on their offensive and defensive lines and in the secondary. But whoever is under center next year also needs more impact weapons. Warren is one of those rare tight ends that can change the game with his versatility. He’s the kind of pick that gives the GM job security.
Carolina Panthers—Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Panthers need to overhaul their entire defensive line, and they’ll have plenty of options here if the draft plays out the way we’re predicting. Graham is a game-wrecking interior defensive lineman who could be another impact player in the mold of Warren Sapp and Aaron Donald. He might not slide this far.
Cam Ward of the Miami Hurricanes rushes against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Sept. 21, 2024. Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
New Orleans Saints—Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia
The Saints desperately need someone to get to the quarterback, and it appears Chase Young might be headed to market as a free agent. There are a few names that would fit the need here, but Walker’s versatility and ability to play off the ball or with his hand on the ground make him the pick for New Orleans.
Chicago Bears—Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
New head coach Ben Johnson enjoyed great success in Detroit with a 1-2 punch of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs at running back. The Bears already have D’Andre Swift and may look to build a similar tandem. They need help on the offensive and defensive lines, but might weaponize their significant cap space to fill those holes.
San Francisco 49ers—Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
With Deebo Samuel asking for a trade, the Niners will need to find a replacement somewhere at some point. Getting a legit receiver here is on the table, and McMillan has the ability to make plays right away in their offense.
Dallas Cowboys—Armand Membou, OG, Missouri
One of the biggest needs in Dallas is someone to run the ball; they would absolutely love to get their hands on Jeanty here. But he’s gone in this scenario. They also need to replace long-time starting guard Zack Martin, who is retiring. Membou can play tackle or guard and would be an immediate replacement for Martin. If not a running back, this makes perfect sense.
Miami Dolphins—Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Miami will likely lose veteran safety Jevon Holland to free agency, which makes that one of their needs on defense. Honestly though, they need help at every level on that side of the ball. Starks is a tremendous athlete and the gap between him and the rest of the safeties in this draft class makes this a premium pick for the Dolphins.
Indianapolis Colts—Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Colts would love to take Warren, but he’s gone. They would love to take Membou, but he’s gone. So their top two options are out. As are the top two corners in this draft class. If they’re truly going to double-down on Anthony Richardson’s development at quarterback, they need better depth at receiver. Egbuka is a consistent route runner who would check that box.
Atlanta Falcons—Mike Green, OLB, Marshall
Atlanta is another team that needs to fix the interior of the offensive line and every level of their defense. Green is a terrific athlete who can get to the quarterback. Again, there are a few names that might land here with the pass rushers still available, but Greene feels like a fit.
Arizona Cardinals—Mykel Williams, OLB, Georgia
Arizona’s entire defensive line depth chart could hit free agency, so that’s their most obvious target at this pick. The name called could be Green, Williams or Shemar Stewart outside or Walter Nolen inside, but it’s safe to say the Cardinals will benefit from a good draft class where they have the most need.
Travis Hunter of the Colorado Buffaloes celebrates a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo., on Nov. 29, 2024. Andrew Wevers/Getty Images
Cincinnati Bengals—Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Ask Joe Burrow what the Bengals need, and he’ll likely roll his eyes and ask you how many times he was sacked last year (the answer is 48). If the Bengals don’t pick multiple offensive linemen in the draft this year there might be a riot in Cincinnati.
Seattle Seahawks—Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
This pick is going to give Seahawks fans all of the Cortez Kennedy vibes. Nolen is a potential starting defensive tackle who can stop the run and collapse the pocket. They have some other needs—interior offensive line, linebacker—but the value in Nolen at a position of need makes too much sense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
The Bucs might look for another pass catcher here to complement Jalen McMillan after Chris Godwin suffered yet another significant injury. But they are also high on the list of teams that need to fix the interior of their offensive line. Booker is the next-best offensive lineman at any spot on the board here and would be good value for Tampa.
Denver Broncos—Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Do you remember how Sean Payton used Jimmy Graham in New Orleans back in the day? Bingo.
Pittsburgh Steelers—Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
The entire offseason in Pittsburgh will revolve around what they do at quarterback. Do they run it back with Russell Wilson? Give the keys to Justin Fields? Go outside the organization for another option? Drafting one here doesn’t make sense, however. And their secondary is the biggest area behind quarterback. Thomas would contribute right away.
Los Angeles Chargers—Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
For some of the picks in this draft, you can circle a position and just write “best available ___” for the pick. The Chargers are going to watch Khalil Mack leave as a free agent and have just one more year of Joey Bosa and Bud Dupree under contract. They’ll take the best available edge player here. And Stewart’s a good one.
Green Bay Packers—Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Packers are reportedly exploring the trade market with two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander, and Eric Stokes could hit the free agent market. Like the Chargers looking for a pass rusher, the Packers need a corner. Hairston is a good one.
Minnesota Vikings—Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The run on corners before this pick hurts Minnesota’s draft board. They will be tempted to take Kenneth Grant here to help their defensive line, but Hampton is a bona fide first-round running back. With the Vikings likely handing the offense to JJ McCarthy after he missed what would have been his rookie season because of injury, a workhorse back would help take some pressure off him.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes celebrates after a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., on Oct. 7, 2023. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Houston Texans—Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Houston needs to help their receiver depth, but they likely love the Vikings passing on Grant because they also need a defensive tackle. If Kelvin Banks Jr. is still available he could be an option here.
Los Angeles Rams—Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Rams are really in uncharted territory this offseason. They’re trying to bring Matthew Stafford back and also looking for a new home for receiver Cooper Kupp. Whether it’s Stafford or someone else under center, they desperately need to protect their quarterback. Banks could go as high at No. 10, so this is a great pick for the Rams.
Baltimore Ravens—Jihaad Campbell, ILB, Alabama
The Ravens are likely praying that one of the top offensive tackles slides to them. Unfortunately, Banks comes off the board right before they’re on the clock here. They might not see the value in drafting a receiver, pass rusher or safety here if Campbell is available. Baltimore has always loved strong, fast inside linebackers and Campbell is all of that. Roquan Smith has two more years under contract and will play his age-29 season in 2025. Campbell might be the heir inside in Baltimore.
Detroit Lions—Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
The Lions want to add a pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson, but they might do that in free agency. They could use help in the secondary, but the corners who are good values in the first round are all gone as well. Their next big need is at guard if Kevin Zeitler leaves.
Washington Commanders—James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee
Here’s another team that will likely select the best available player at a specific position. The Commanders need a pash rusher. Thankfully, this year’s draft class has enough depth that there should be a couple with first-round grades still available at this point.
Buffalo Bills—Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Bills will check their board for a receiver here and might consider a pass rusher if one slides more than expected. But their biggest need is someone in the middle of their defensive front to make life miserable for opponents. Harmon is the next-best defensive tackle on the board.
Kansas City Chiefs—Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
If you watched Patrick Mahomes run for his life during the Super Bowl, it doesn’t come as a surprise that their offensive line is a need. They might put the franchise tag on guard Trey Smith; they also might do that and still trade him. Either way, they need to protect their best player.
Philadelphia Eagles—Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
Josh Sweat, the Eagles’ team leader in sacks this past season, is going to be in high demand as a free agent. So replacing him becomes a need. And, again, a deep draft class on the edge helps teams like Philly get a good player this late in the round.
Tab Bamford
Author
Tab Bamford has been writing about sports for two decades. He has worked with the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Big Ten Conference, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and been credentialed for all-star events and postseason games in MLB, the NFL, NHL, NBA and NCAA.
