Less than a month away from the NFL Scouting Combine, it’s time to start thinking about where the top prospects could end up.
Here’s my initial projection of how the entire first round will play out in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the 2025 NFL Draft will take place on April 24-26.
The order for pick Nos. 31 and 32 will be determined by the outcome of Super Bowl LIX.
Tune in for live coverage of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 27 on NFL Network and NFL
Pick
1
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders
Colorado · QB · Senior
Second-year head coach Brian Callahan and new general manager Mike Borgonzi jump-start the Titans’ rebuild with a franchise quarterback boasting big-game moxie and experience engineering program turnarounds.
Pick
2
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
Abdul Carter
Abdul Carter
Penn State · Edge · Junior
Despite an obvious need at QB, the Browns opt to pair Carter with Myles Garrett to give the defense a dynamic duo on the edges.
Pick
3
New York Giants
New York Giants
Cam Ward
Cam Ward
Miami · QB · Senior
The selection of this alpha-dog quarterback gives the Giants the competitive leader needed to bounce back from a couple of disappointing seasons.
The selection of this alpha-dog quarterback gives the Giants the competitive leader needed to bounce back from a couple of disappointing seasons.
Pick
4
New England Patriots
Travis Hunter
Colorado · WR/CB · Junior
New head coach Mike Vrabel’s personal experience as a two-way player could help the Patriots maximize this Heisman Trophy winner’s potential as a combo playmaker in the NFL.
Pick
5
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Graham
Mason Graham
Michigan · DT ·
Pairing Graham with 2024 second-rounder Maason Smith would give the Jaguars an intriguing interior tandem with disruptive potential.
Pick
6
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders
Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan
Arizona · WR · Junior
Upgrading the talent on the perimeter is a top priority for a Raiders offense that relied extensively on rookie tight end Brock Bowers in 2024.
Pick
7
New York Jets
New York Jets
Will Campbell
Will Campbell
LSU · OT · Junior
Building up the trenches is a part of the Jets’ plan to compete with the AFC’s heavyweights. Campbell is a rock-solid offensive tackle prospect with the size, strength and skill to dominate on the edges from Day 1.
Pick
8
Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
Mykel Williams
Mykel Williams
Georgia · Edge · Junior
Adding a difference maker on the defensive front will help Derrick Brown and Co. impose their will on opponents.
Pick
9
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
Jalon Walker
Jalon Walker
Georgia · Edge · Junior
The Saints’ defense needs an infusion of young, athletic talent. Walker’s speed and explosiveness could make him a big-play specialist as a pro.
Pick
10
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
Armand Membou
Armand Membou
Missouri · OT/OG · Junior
New head coach Ben Johnson is committed to building a dominant line in Chicago to create a balanced but explosive offense — like the one he just coordinated in Detroit. Membou is a bully at the point of attack with some positional flexibility.
ick
11
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
Will Johnson
Will Johnson
Michigan · CB · Junior
The return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator could prompt the 49ers to invest in a top cover corner to match up with the talented receivers within the division.
Pick
12
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty
Boise State · RB · Junior
After watching the ground game flounder without an elite running back in the backfield, Jerry Jones adds a bona fide star in Jeanty to spark an offensive resurgence.
Pick
13
Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
Tyler Booker
Tyler Booker
Alabama · OG · Junior
Adding physicality and toughness to the offensive line is a priority for the Dolphins. Booker is a bully at the line of scrimmage with the nastiness needed to set the tone up front.
Pick
14
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Warren
Tyler Warren
Penn State · TE · Senior
Adding more playmakers on the perimeter is essential to helping Anthony Richardson reach his potential as a franchise quarterback. Warren is a freak athlete with the athletic measurements and production to tickle GM Chris Ballard’s fancy.
Pick
15
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
Shemar Stewart
Shemar Stewart
Texas A&M · DL · Junior
Atlanta’s eternal desperation for a pass rusher could lead to an “HWS” (height/weight/speed) gamble on Stewart. Despite his limited production, the former Aggie could garner interest as a boom-or-bust edge menace.
Pick
16
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
James Pearce Jr.
James Pearce Jr.
Tennessee · Edge · Junior
A mass exodus of front-seven defenders in free agency could force the Cardinals to replenish this area of the roster early (and often) on draft weekend. Pearce is an explosive athlete with a developing game as a pass-rush specialist.
Pick
17
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
Colston Loveland
Colston Loveland
Michigan · TE · Junior
If the Bengals lose Tee Higgins in free agency, the addition of a big-bodied tight end with dynamic receiving skills could help Joe Burrow continue to flourish as a passer.
Pick
18
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
Kelvin Banks Jr.
Kelvin Banks Jr.
Texas · OT/OG · Junior
The Seahawks’ pressing needs on the offensive line could result in an early addition to the position group. While Banks was a three-year starter for Texas at left tackle, some evaluators believe his best NFL spot could be at guard. Whatever the case, Seattle needs help in both areas.
Pick
19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Emeka Egbuka
Emeka Egbuka
Ohio State · WR · Senior
Third-round rookie Jalen McMillan blossomed down the stretch this past season, but the Buccaneers could still stand to invest valuable draft capital into the wide receiver position, with Chris Godwin on the verge of free agency and Mike Evans heading toward the final year of his contract. Egbuka is a high-floor prospect with WR1/WR2 potential.
Pick
20
Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
Malaki Starks
Malaki Starks
Georgia · S · Junior
Giving Vance Joseph another high-IQ defender would help the Broncos’ defense sustain its impressive level of play. Starks’ instincts, awareness and toughness make him an ideal fit in a “see ball, get ball” scheme.
Pick
21
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Luther Burden III
Luther Burden III
Missouri · WR · Junior
The Steelers’ pedestrian offense needs more playmakers to keep up with the high-scoring attacks within the division. Burden is a catch-and-run specialist with the crafty playmaking skills to flourish on the perimeter.
Pick
22
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers
Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden
Texas · WR · Junior
The Chargers cannot continue to win with Ladd McConkey operating as a one-man show in the passing game. Golden would add speed and playmaking ability to the lineup.
Pick
23
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
Jahdae Barron
Jahdae Barron
Texas · CB · Senior
This could help the Packers move on from Jaire Alexander and others in the secondary. Barron’s versatility would make it easy for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to carve out a role for the Texas product as a rookie.
Pick
24
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
Benjamin Morrison
Benjamin Morrison
Notre Dame · CB · Junior
If Morrison’s medicals check out, the well-sized cover corner would be a nice fit for a secondary that prioritizes tackling and toughness on the perimeter.
Pick
25
Houston Texans
Houston Texans
Kenneth Grant
Kenneth Grant
Michigan · DT · Junior
DeMeco Ryans’ desire to overwhelm opponents with a deep and talented D-line rotation makes Grant a possibility here
Pick
26
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams
Josh Simmons
Josh Simmons
Ohio State · OT · Junior (RS)
If Matthew Stafford and the Rams move forward together, continuing to build a fortress around the veteran quarterback has to be a top priority.
Pick
27
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
Josh Conerly Jr.
Josh Conerly Jr.
Oregon · OT · Junior
With Ronnie Stanley’s injury history and impeding free agency, the Ravens could add an athletic edge blocker to protect Lamar Jackson within the pocket.
Pick
28
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
Mike Green
Mike Green
Marshall · Edge · Junior (RS)
The lack of a pass rush down the stretch could prompt general manager Brad Holmes to invest heavily in this area, giving Aidan Hutchinson some support once he returns to health. Green is a natural QB hunter with an emerging game.
Pick
29
Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders
Donovan Jackson
Donovan Jackson
Ohio State · OG/OT · Senior
Upgrading the O-line is a priority with Jayden Daniels flashing MVP-caliber talent as a dual-threat playmaker. Jackson’s toughness and versatility would mesh well with Dan Quinn’s culture.
Pick
30
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
JT Tuimoloau
JT Tuimoloau
Ohio State · Edge · Senior
The Bills’ blue-collar culture makes this Ohio State product a perfect fit. JTT’s a rugged edge player with upside as a pass rusher.
Pick
31
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
Derrick Harmon
Derrick Harmon
Oregon · DT · Junior (RS)
The Eagles believe in investing in the trenches on draft day. Harmon would add another super-sized athlete to a defensive line that is loaded with blue-chip talent.
Pick
32
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
Shavon Revel Jr.
Shavon Revel Jr.
East Carolina · CB · Senior
Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in September, Revel is worthy of first-round consideration. The playmaking cover corner displays the instincts, awareness and skill to thrive in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme
