2025 NFL Draft First-Round Projections Revealed

GREEN BAY, Wis. — With the 2025 NFL Draft set to take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24-26, early projections are already shaping the conversation around the league’s top prospects. The draft order, still contingent on the outcome of Super Bowl LIX, offers a glimpse into how teams might address their needs with the next generation of talent.

The Tennessee Titans, holding the No. 1 overall pick, are expected to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a senior with a proven track record of leading program turnarounds. “Second-year head coach Brian Callahan and new general manager Mike Borgonzi are looking to jump-start the Titans’ rebuild with a franchise quarterback,” said an NFL analyst. Sanders’ big-game experience and leadership make him a prime candidate to anchor the team’s future.

At No. 2, the Cleveland Browns are projected to bypass their quarterback needs in favor of bolstering their defense. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, a junior, is the likely choice. “Pairing Carter with Myles Garrett would give the Browns a dynamic duo on the edges,” the analyst added. This move signals Cleveland’s commitment to building a dominant defensive front.

The New York Giants, picking third, are expected to address their quarterback woes by selecting Miami‘s Cam Ward. “The selection of this alpha-dog quarterback gives the Giants the competitive leader needed to bounce back from a couple of disappointing seasons,” the analyst noted. Ward’s leadership and playmaking ability could provide the spark the Giants’ offense desperately needs.

Further down the draft board, the New England Patriots, under new head coach Mike Vrabel, are projected to take Colorado’s Travis Hunter at No. 4. Hunter, a versatile junior who excels at both wide receiver and cornerback, could become a combo playmaker in the NFL. “Vrabel’s personal experience as a two-way player could help the Patriots maximize Hunter’s potential,” the analyst said.

Other notable projections include Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 5, LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell to the New York Jets at No. 7, and Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 15. Each pick reflects a strategic effort by teams to address critical weaknesses and build for the future.

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, scheduled to begin Feb. 27, will provide further clarity on these projections. With live coverage on NFL Network and NFL+, fans and analysts alike will have ample opportunity to evaluate the next wave of NFL talent.