At long last, the 2025 NFL Draft is here, and the picture of the National Football League will quickly be coming into focus. With Aaron Rodgers yet to sign a free-agent deal, he remains the elephant in the room as we embark upon Thursday's first round. At this point, quarterback-needy teams will need to move forward with draft plans as if he's not an option. However, if they swing and miss at QB, Rodgers is always a potential fallback plan. Below is a prediction on how the first round will shake out for all 32 teams.
Final 2025 NFL Draft predictions:
It hasn't been 100% certain that the Titans will go QB at the top of the draft, but the vibes are trending in that direction. With free agency virtually complete and Will Levis as the only quarterback under contract, their hand appears to be forced. Enter Cam Ward. While this quarterback class isn't the strongest, Ward seems to be the safest pick here and will become the face of the franchise in Tennessee.
While the Browns are certainly not settled long-term at the quarterback position, the Joe Flacco homecoming, in addition to the acquisition of Kenny Pickett from the Eagles via trade, gives them some flexibility to punt to the second round to take a QB possibly. A generational prospect like Hunter will not only help the next quarterback, but it is well-documented that he will also help on the defensive side of the ball. It's hard to pass on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner here, regardless of the status of the QB room.
The Giants heavily addressed the quarterback position via free agency, signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Both are de facto backups, however, and they still need a QB of the future. While the Giants have several needs, and there is a lot of available talent at the No. 3 spot, Sanders could be the pick here to solidify the QB room in New York for the foreseeable future.
In the first blockbuster trade of this draft, the Panthers move up from No. 8 to No. 4 to nab one of the best prospects of the draft in Carter to give them a pass rush presence that was severely lacking. Combined with the additions of Patrick Jones II, Bobby Brown III, and Tershawn Wharton, the selection of Carter suddenly gives Carolina a potentially formidable defensive front.
One of the more obvious choices of the early picks, Graham and the Jags are a perfect match. He's one of the more impactful defensive presences in the draft, and Jacksonville seriously needs to bolster one of the worst defenses statistically in 2024.
The best option for the Raiders at No. 6 is another receiver to take some of the load off tight end Brock Bowers. While newly signed quarterback Geno Smith figures to have a significant connection with Bowers, it's not ideal to have your leading receiver come from the tight end position - even if that tight end is a megastar like Bowers. Adding McMillan to the fold will allow a dynamic playmaker to open things up for Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker and give Vegas a reason to be excited about the offense.
With the addition of Justin Fields via free agency, a quarterback who historically likes to utilize tight ends, Warren adds a dynamic playmaker from the tight end position who also can help in the run game. Garrett Wilson is one of the top receivers in the game, and along with Allen Lazard and newly acquired Josh Reynolds, the Jets have the chance to maintain a strong passing game in addition to the running threat that Fields brings to the table.
The Patriots hit the lottery, moving back, acquiring additional picks from Carolina, and still getting the protector of Drake Maye's blindside in Campbell. The Patriots do have a significant need at the wide receiver position, but Maye spent much of 2024 running for his life and needs time to deliver the ball to the receivers he does have.
The first of potentially two dynamic edge threats out of Texas A&M to go in the first round, Stewart gives the Saints a future star that could benefit early with the help of veterans Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, and the newly acquired Davon Godchaux on the defensive line.
Will the Bears look to move up to potentially add another playmaker to take some pressure off of Caleb Williams in year two? Perhaps. But the safe bet is to stay put and protect Williams' blindside. The Bears addressed center and guard in free agency, and tackle is the final puzzle piece. Banks was the premier lineman in college football on a championship-caliber team. He's battle-tested and ready to become a force in Chicago.
The overhaul of the 49ers roster continues with the guy I feel could become the best receiver from this draft class. The go-to target on Texas' College Football Playoff Semifinal team, Golden instantly helps replace the void left by Deebo Samuel's departure to Washington. He could make an immediate impact, especially if Brandon Aiyuk misses any time in 2025. Paired alongside Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, San Francisco won't miss a beat with the addition of Golden.
Where the Heisman Trophy runner-up lands is one of the million-dollar questions of this year's draft. Someone may trade up to get Jeanty, perhaps even the Cowboys. If he is still available at 12, it's a no-brainer for Dallas to finally get its running back of the future in the Boise State wrecking ball, who had one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory in college football.
The Dolphins get a steal here with arguably the best offensive tackle in a draft loaded with good ones. Protecting Tua Tagovailoa is priority number one, and Membou will help do just that. His lack of experience at left tackle keeps me from putting him as the top tackle, but there's no reason to believe he can't shift to the left side if needed in time.
The Colts desperately need someone to step up in the passing game to help Anthony Richardson's progression, and arguably the best tight end in the draft could do just that. Indianapolis didn't have a tight end with more than 200 yards in 2004, and Loveland figures to change that in year one.
The Falcons swung and missed with the Matthew Judon project, but they will take the next step in reconstructing their absent pass rush with the selection of Williams. There is no shortage of defensive standouts from Georgia in the NFL, and Williams is the first of many to go off the board in this draft, as well, staying home in Atlanta.
The Cardinals need some help on the offensive side of the ball, but they get a staple for the defensive line for years to come with the Michigan space eater Grant. Alongside veteran acquisitions Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, Grant will make an immediate impact and take the torch for the future.
The Bengals solidified their offense for the foreseeable future by re-signing Joe Burrow's favorite targets in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, so defense is the move. Johnson gives Cincinnati a playmaking corner that can lock down receivers as well as find the end zone, as he did three times during his collegiate career in Michigan.
Booker is the first guard off the board as Seattle looks to bolster its offensive line. With the best tackles off the board, focusing on the interior is the way to go as the Seahawks enter the Sam Darnold era. Booker will help protect Darnold and help running back Kenneth Walker III bounce back in 2025.
Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay offense continued its incredible two-year run in 2024, and with everyone back on board in 2025, it only makes sense to address a defense that twice lost overtime games without Mayfield touching the ball. Walker is another explosive defender who will disrupt NFL offenses from day one and help the Bucs' defense take some pressure off Mayfield and Co.
Bo Nix burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2024, and it's only right that the Broncos get him another playmaker to go along with Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr., who also had a breakthrough season a year ago. Egbuka was a key cog for the national champion Ohio State team, one of two Buckeyes with over 1,000 yards receiving.
Who is QB3 of the 2025 NFL Draft? The answer is Jaxson Dart, the 21-year-old gunslinger out of Ole Miss. My favorite quarterback of the draft, long-term, Dart gives Pittsburgh its QB of the future. Aaron Rodgers is still on the table for the Steelers, but whether he's sitting behind the legend or starting immediately, Dart will become the franchise quarterback in Pittsburgh.
The Chargers had a breakthrough offensively as Justin Herbert established a connection with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey. They will look to make a similar breakthrough on defense by selecting Green, the disruptive edge from Marshall, who would be considered a steal at this point as the fourth edge off the board.
The Packers need a cornerback, and the draft hosts will find a good one in reigning Thorpe Award winner Barron at No. 23. The do-it-all DB was a cornerstone for one of the best defenses in America and was an absolute ballhawk with five interceptions during Texas' 2024 CFP semifinal season.
Another Georgia first-rounder, you say? You bet, and Starks will be the heir apparent for Harrison Smith as the heart and soul of the Minnesota secondary. We won't have to wait for Smith to retire to see Starks on the field, though, as he can play multiple positions and will make an immediate impact.
With Laremy Tunsil on his way to Washington, protecting C.J. Stroud comes to the forefront of the Texans' draft needs. Simmons is yet another potential star in a very deep group of offensive tackles that will become staples in the league for years.
The Rams addressed Cooper Kupp's loss by bringing in Davante Adams, but they will add a young playmaker here in Luther Burden III. Burden III is a versatile receiver who was the focal point of the Missouri offense, with all eyes on him even when he didn't get the ball. Puka Nacua and Burden III will make for a dynamic duo long after Matthew Stafford and Adams are retired.
The old saying "the rich get richer" applies here as the Baltimore defense adds yet another explosive player that amplifies the Ravens' hard-nosed reputation. Campbell's stats in 2024 were off the charts, as he recorded 117 tackles (12 for loss), five sacks, and an interception.
Once considered a candidate to be the top pick of the draft, Pearce Jr. could find himself on Dan Campbell's defense opposite a returning Aidan Hutchinson. If it takes time for Hutchinson to return to form, Pearce Jr. could be relied on to be an immediate force as the Lions' disruptor off the edge.
Edge after edge after edge after edge. It's the story of the 2025 first round, and the Commanders take the opportunity to replace Dante Fowler Jr. with Ezeiruaku. Washington, led by rookie Jayden Daniels, made an improbable run to the NFC Championship a year ago. The defense will be the focus of the draft after bolstering the offense with Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil.
After going offensive tackle at No. 10, the Bears trade back into the end of the first round to nab one of the two best running backs of the draft in Hampton. With a beefed-up O-Line and a running back duo of D'Andre Swift and Hampton, look for Chicago to take a big step forward in 2025.
A monster in the middle at Ole Miss, Nolen would bring a much-needed presence to Kansas City's interior defensive line. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, the Chiefs' championship window isn't likely to close, but adding a force like Nolen to the defense alongside Chris Jones will only help.
What better way to end the first round than with the defending Super Bowl Champions taking Scourton, the seventh edge off the board in the first round? With Nakobe Dean potentially missing extended time after a knee injury in the playoffs, Scourton could provide reinforcement for a defense that doesn't have many weaknesses.