With a third of the 2024 NFL season about to be complete and the college football season being the unofficial halfway point, the 2025 NFL Draft talk is about to heat up with fading pro teams getting closer to getting their future prospects.
Although there are some young stars such as Arch Manning, Ryan Williams, and Jeremiah Smith destined to be darlings in future drafts, next year’s class is developing some marquee impact playmakers on offense and defense.
Here’s projecting — for now — what all 32 teams might do in the first round next April 24 when the draft kicks off at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field.
(Updated 2025 NFL draft order after Week 5; No. 1-18 courtesy of Tankathon)
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1. New England Patriots 1-4
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado (6-1, 185 pounds)
The Patriots are OK at corner with Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, and Marcus Jones — and they have worked to get youth to serve at wide receiver — but for a franchise that likes dynamic versatile playmakers and once used Troy Brown as a two-player, Hunter’s big game should be welcome, maybe even on both sides for Jerod Mayo as they try to boost both Drake Maye and the secondary.
2. Cincinnati Bengals 1-4
The Bengals, if they stay this high in the draft order, should be prepared to find the right wide receiver to replace pending free agent Tee Higgins. McMillan has a massive frame and uses his big body to position himself to make catches through the red zone.
3. Cleveland Browns 1-4
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama (6-2, 225 pounds)
NFL scouts will be interested in the latest Crimson Tide dual-threat, who can remind them of the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts with his strong arm and great mobility. Milroe has had a big year to climb back in the top-10 discussion, and whoever is the coach of the Browns next season needs to flip the page from the Deshaun Watson experience.
4. Los Angeles Rams 1-4
The Rams have been atrocious at cornerback this season, well removed from having the prime-career services of Jalen Ramsey. Johnson has great size for an active, on-ball playmaker whose coverage skills can transcend to a shutdown level.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-4
The Jaguars have Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen to disrupt from the edge, but they need to clean up the inside with a solid run stopper and flashy pass rusher of Graham’s dominant ilk.
6. Carolina Panthers 1-4
Bryce Young didn’t turn out to be a No. 1 overall pick on the level of Cam Newton, so the Panthers can try again at quarterback with another Cam a little later in the first round. Ward is looking like this year’s Jayden Daniels as a Heisman threat and much-improved prospect after playing in multiple programs. Ward has been showing off his cannon arm and would appeal as a pocket passer for Dave Canales.
7. Tennessee Titans 1-3
Sanders has faded just a little with some maturity concerns playing under his father. The shine of the Buffaloes’ program has dimmed, but the physical talent and downfield passing would still get him a look for QB-needy teams, which the Titans are headed to be with Will Levis not looking like the answer.
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8. Miami Dolphins 2-3
The Dolphins have Jevon Holland to star at one safety, but they are struggling to round out the middle of their secondary with former Bill Jordan Poyer being only a makeshift solution. Starks has the size and range needed to make a big impact in the defensive backfield for years to come.
9. New York Jets 2-3
Will Campbell, OT, LSU (6-6, 323 pounds)
Campbell is the kind of athletic mauler the Jets could use to replace 33-year-old fading stopgap Tyron Smith. H would provide New York a long-term solution at left tackle for the first time since having D’Brickashaw Ferguson, regardless if it’s Aaron Rodgers again or another QB.
10. Arizona Cardinals 2-3
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (6-3, 339 pounds)
The Cardinals have issues in pass rush and coverage, but they are extremely weak for Jonathan Gannon on the interior, too. Arizona also is bad against the run, and Grant can give them a disruptive nose who can also rack up sacks.
11. Las Vegas Raiders 2-3
The Raiders already have teased they might aggressively go after Shedeur Sanders if they can’t stay put and get him after the latest QB mess of Gardner Minshew vs. Aidan O’Connell. However, if they remain this low, they can’t be ruled out to jump on the class’ most explosive, most prolific back to clean up their running game.
12. New Orleans Saints 2-3
The Saints need a No. 2 receiver to help Chris Olave and deep threat Rashid Shaheed, as they’d prefer to turn to more 11 personnel looks for offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Burden would offer some after-the-catch, big-play toughness, as well as the speed to stretch the field.
13. Indianapolis Colts 2-3
The Colts need to make improving their outside coverage a priority, and staying in state for Morrison would bring a needed, technically sound big playmaker from South Bend to Indianapolis.
14. San Francisco 49ers 2-3
Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-4, 285 pounds)
The 49ers are getting shaky overall play from makeshift solution Leonard Floyd opposite Nick Bosa, and they could use an upgrade in the form of this devastating young pass rusher.
15. New York Giants 2-3
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (6-4, 324 pounds)
The Giants are feeling good about Andrew Thomas, but fellow first-rounder Evan Neal is hurt and they should look for a sturdier, more agile solution at right tackle to help Daniel Jones or whoever else at QB.
16. Philadelphia Eagles 2-2
Williams makes it a Texas two-step for teams in the NFC East. The Eagles need a successor to aging and hurting Lane Johnson, and Williams has emerged opposite Banks to show that he has nimble feet and fine technique to go along with his powerful frame on the right side.
17. Chicago Bears 3-2
The Bears need a tough end for their 4-3 front to boost Montez Sweat, as DeMarcus Walker has been just OK in that role. Williams also offers some good run-stopping strength for some inside-outside versatility.
18. Green Bay Packers 3-2
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State (6-3, 250 pounds)
The Packers need to develop a busy bookend for Rashan Gary, and Carter should have appeal with natural pass-rush skills plus pretty good range in run-play pursuit.
19. Los Angeles Chargers 2-2
Jim Harbaugh can go back to Michigan to get OC Greg Roman his missing Mark Andrews type in the new, run-heavier Chargers offense after taking offensive tackle Joe Alt and wide receiver Ladd McConkey early in 2023. Loveland is an athletic field-stretcher who can quickly become Justin Herbert’s new go-to guy.
20. Dallas Cowboys 3-2
Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State (6-5, 260 pounds)
The Cowboys need to give Micah Parsons some pass-rush help, and Sawyer is another versatile player who can also be a huge asset with his range against the run and growth potential in coverage.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-2
Mike Evans is 31 and Chris Godwin is 28, and although the team likes youngsters Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan, they are more complementary receivers to Evans outside and Godwin in the slot in 11 personnel. Bond can give them another dynamic vertical threat to mesh with Baker Mayfield’s big arm.
22. Denver Broncos 3-2
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (6-1, 205 pounds)
Egbuka can fill the Broncos’ big hole for a true No. 1 receiver with Egbuka’s combination of route-running, great hands, and big-play flair.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2
In a twist, Dan Moore Jr. has been better at left tackle while first-rounder Broderick Jones has struggled on the right side. Regardless, the Steelers need to address their perimeter blocking again in some form. Ersery is rising fast thanks to his dynamic athleticism to go with his big frame.
24. Detroit Lions 3-1
Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal combined aren’t panning out well to give sack monster Aidan Hutchinson the needed complementary help up front. Pearce has slipped a bit during the Vols’ season, but his explosive, athletic upside is worth a long look in Detroit.
25. Seattle Seahawks 3-2
The Seahawks need to find Mike Macdonald’s version of Nnamdi Madubuike, and Walker can oblige with unique athleticism for his massive frame, which also helps him eat up run blockers.
26. Buffalo Bills 3-2
Buffalo needs to beef up its run defense before considering big linebacker issues with Matt Milano hurt again. Corleone can be the “don” Bills Mafia can’t refuse with his strength, pop, and quickness inside.
27. Atlanta Falcons 3-2
Harold Perkins Jr., EDGE, LSU (6-1, 235 pounds)
The Falcons did go get Matthew Judon for Raheem Morris, but he’s 32 nearing the end of his career. Perkins offers a variety of moves to get to the quarterback playing from multiple positions.
28. Baltimore Ravens 3-2
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College (6-2, 247 pounds)
Ezeiruaku is another big riser after already posting nine sacks this season for the Eagles. The Ravens will love revving up his versatility as a pass rusher on the same front as Odafe Oweh.
29. Washington Commanders 4-1
Revel will miss the rest of the Pirates’ season with a torn ACL after he was just ascending big-time as a big cover corner. The Commanders should be still willing to take a long first-round look given how bad they’ve been without Kendall Fuller.
30. Houston Texans 4-1
The combination of veteran Jimmie Ward and youngster Jalen Pitre has been a bit disappointing for DeMeco Ryans. Winston sadly got hurt for the Nittany Lions, but when healthy, he’s a rangy playmaker who can support the run and cover well.
31. Minnesota Vikings 5-0
Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State (6-1, 190 pounds)
The Vikings are managing well with corner with Stephon Gilmore giving them a lift, but on the outside, Shaq Griffin can be a liability, as the team is giving up big receiving yardage. Burke should end the season polished for the Buckeyes, so he can handle anything DC Brian Flores gives him for schematic coverage.
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32. Kansas City Chiefs 5-0
Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU (6-3, 315 pounds)
The Chiefs cannot continue with the Jawaan Taylor penalty dysfunction at right tackle in front of Patrick Mahomes. Jones can clean that up with his pass-protection upside to go with natural run blocking to help Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith.
