There are some years when the top of the NFL Draft feels rather easy to decipher as soon as the regular season ends. This is not one of those years.
Thanks to some help from the New England Patriots, the Tennessee Titans landed the No. 1 pick in April, but there will be a lot to sort out between now and then. How many teams in the top 10 will set their sights on a quarterback? What will coaching and general manager changes mean for the plans of various franchises? Will anyone try to move up for Heisman winner Travis Hunter?
We’ve only just begun to talk about it all. Here’s an early look at what the non-playoff teams could do come Round 1.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The draft’s biggest question as the order finally comes into focus is whether the Titans want to start over at quarterback after Will Levis’ disappointing second season. There are at least two more QB-desperate teams (the Giants and Raiders) just below Tennessee in the order, so this slot certainly could hold trade value.
If Tennessee does want to bail on Levis, Ward has the QB1 edge at the moment over Shedeur Sanders.
Truly 1 of 1 🎯
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) December 28, 2024
2. Cleveland Browns: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Cleveland needs a lot of help, including in the form of another quarterback — with or without Deshaun Watson on the roster next year.
This also feels like a possible trade-back spot, as the Browns haven’t had a first-round pick since 2021. If a trade doesn’t happen, though, the draft’s top offensive tackle (who could be a guard, if necessary) would make for a terrific consolation prize.
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders in New York feels like a match made in media heaven. Physically, Ward might have more tools (which is why I’ve got him slightly higher here), but don’t be shocked if Sanders — who, unlike Ward, had to get used to playing with so-so talent in college — is more ready to start than some believe.
4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Patriots ruined their shot at the No. 1 pick with a Week 18 win Sunday — and then fired head coach Jerod Mayo as soon as that game ended. It might not actually matter in the end, though, because Hunter looks like New England’s best fit anyway. He’s the best player in the draft regardless of position, so this would be a steal.
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5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
It’s a little tough to say which area will be Jacksonville’s focus, as we could see significant change soon at the top of this organization. Corner is a need, as are offensive tackle and the interior offensive line. But investing in the draft’s top interior defensive presence could give the Jaguars an identity on that side of the ball that they sorely lack.
6. Chicago Bears (projected trade with Raiders): Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Chicago is going to be taking a new direction at head coach, but make no mistake about this roster: There’s plenty to work with here. It’d be a good idea for Chicago to be aggressive here and prioritize a difference-maker like Carter, arguably a top-two prospect in this draft, over waiting on best available at No. 10.
Mr. Abdul Carter https://t.co/d5hXFqaDc9 pic.twitter.com/tDFg547jyK
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 6, 2025
7. New York Jets: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
We shouldn’t totally rule the Jets out as a possible QB destination, not at least until we see the new coach/GM setup. As with Chicago, though, the Jets should consider being aggressive in this draft if they covet a top-end player. This roster, the team dysfunction aside, was better than the five wins it produced this season. It simply needs proper direction — and possibly a new quarterback.
8. Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Two months ago, many thought we’d see Carolina target another quarterback despite being just two years removed from taking Bryce Young at No. 1. Young, however, took advantage of his early season benching and returned a changed man down the stretch.
Giving him some true help with a physical freak like McMillan could help Carolina’s offense take the next step.
9. New Orleans Saints: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Finding a spot for a player like Starks, who makes his home base at safety, can be tough. But he is a legit top-10 prospect — possibly even top-five — in this class. Just 20 years old, Starks arguably has the best football IQ of any defender. He’s a possible culture-setter.
10. Las Vegas Raiders (projected trade with Bears): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Surprise! I know word out of Penn State is Allar intends to return to Happy Valley for another year. However, as reported last week by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, NFL GMs are still scouting Allar as a possible 2025 pick. Were Allar to declare, he might be a tick ahead of Alabama’s Jalen Milroe (who has declared for the draft) in the race for QB3.
The No. 10 slot still might be too high for either player, but that’s life in the NFL when you’re a franchise without a quarterback.
I know Drew Allar “intends” to return to Penn St. in 2025.
But…
There are several NFL GMs who believe Allar could enter the 2025 NFL Draft with a strong playoff run. Teams are still heavily scouting him for the 2025 class.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 1, 2025
11. San Francisco 49ers: Jalon Walker, Edge/LB, Georgia
We’re not used to seeing San Francisco holding a pick this early in the draft. But a down year for Kyle Shanahan and company could provide an opportunity to add more punch to a defense in desperate need of it. Walker, a terror on the edge or in the stack, would absolutely qualify.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This is a terrific running back class and Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up and college football’s most prolific running back since Barry Sanders, is atop the list of available talent. Much like Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson and Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs, Jeanty is the type of three-down weapon who is actually worth a selection this high — and it would fill a huge need in Dallas.
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13. Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Tua Tagovailoa managed to come back (for a bit) after suffering another concussion earlier this season. But he played just 11 games and has been on the field for a full schedule just once in his five-year career. The Dolphins have to get better up front and protect him.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Colts are facing more questions about the direction of their franchise after yet another disappointing, middling season that featured very little consistent progress from young QB Anthony Richardson. One thing Richardson desperately needs to help him is a competent tight end. Warren, Allar’s best friend at Penn State, looks like the best two-way tight end prospect in the class.
15. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
The only concern about Pearce is whether his size (243 pounds) is enough for teams to see him as a true three-down option. If they do, don’t be surprised to see Pearce land closer to the top 10. His ability to win with speed off the edge is nearly unmatched in this class.
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16. Arizona Cardinals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
One of the biggest transfer risers in the 2025 class, Harmon showed off an ability to rush and stuff the run from multiple spots along the defensive front this season. The Cardinals could be one good draft away from breaking through.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Joe Burrow was right to hope the Bengals don’t make a habit of letting talented players leave because they don’t want to pay them — which, it seems, is exactly what might happen with Tee Higgins. The good news? It’s not hard to replace receivers, even good ones, if you’re smart.
LUTHER BURDEN III ON 4TH AND 5 😱😳@MizzouFootball TAKES THE LEAD WITH 1:10 TO GO! pic.twitter.com/HzGC9P23Qt
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 17, 2024
18. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Once again, the Seahawks finished as one of the best teams in the NFL to not make the playoffs. And, once again, we’ll be spending the next few months talking about Seattle’s need for more help along its offensive line.
Simmons went down for the season with a knee injury suffered in October, but he has terrific upside.
(Top photo of Cam Ward: David Rosenblum / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
