Tennessee will make Penn State’s Abdul Carter the No. 1 pick, then the Browns will fill their quarterback need with Cam Ward.
The 2025 NFL Draft Combine is taking place this week in Indianapolis, which means we’re once again talking about football despite spring training opening and the NBA and NHL regular seasons in their respective playoff pushes.
As players weigh in, run around cones and show us who the fastest players are heading to the NFL this spring, let’s take a look at how the first round of the draft might play out.
- Tennessee Titans—Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
The Titans’ front office is on record saying they want to take an elite player at No. 1 overall. While they have needs all over their roster, the only two players in this class that are “elite” at their positions are Carter and Travis Hunter. Taking a game-changing pass rusher presents more value. Carter has been compared to another Penn State rusher, Micah Parsons.
- Cleveland Browns—Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Like the Titans, the Browns have holes everywhere. And their offseason became more complicated when their best player, defensive end Myles Garrett, asked to be traded. Their biggest glaring need, however, is still quarterback. The DeShaun Watson trade/contract is one of the all-time mistakes in NFL history. Ward is not the consensus No. 1 quarterback in this class, but he’s probably the most pro-ready.
- New York Giants—Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Right now, the first two picks in this draft—at least the Browns taking a quarterback—feel as though they’re pretty set. This is where the draft could shift in a number of directions. The Giants need a quarterback (again), which would put Shedeur Sanders in play. But their offensive line is also a mess, as is their secondary. Taking the best offensive tackle in the draft makes too much sense—if they aren’t sold on Sanders being their guy.
- New England Patriots—Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
What the Giants do will have a direct impact on the Patriots’ pick here. They too need to address their offensive line. But after Campbell, there isn’t a prospect that makes a lot of sense this high. They also need to fix their secondary and get some help for last year’s top pick, quarterback Drake Maye. Hunter is a legitimate unicorn in that he’s the top-rated corner
and wide receiver. He would help the Patriots on either side of the ball—maybe both.
- Jacksonville Jaguars—Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Jaguars also have plenty of needs, but their most glaring area to address is their secondary. They might need multiple corners and safeties. It might feel a little high for Johnson at five overall, so a trade back might be in play here—especially if Sanders is still available in front of the Raiders. Johnson is a legitimate shutdown corner and would fill a need for Jacksonville immediately.
- Las Vegas Raiders—Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders has met with the Raiders. His father has been open about the idea of this being a good fit. Whether or not the Raiders believe that is what we’ll learn if he’s available when they’re on the clock. I wouldn’t bet against Vegas taking him here.
- New York Jets—Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
With the Jets moving on from Aaron Rodgers, they need a quarterback. They also need help on their offensive and defensive lines and in the secondary. But whoever is under center next year also needs more impact weapons. Warren is one of those rare tight ends that can change the game with his versatility. He’s the kind of pick that gives the GM job security.
- Carolina Panthers—Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Panthers need to overhaul their entire defensive line, and they’ll have plenty of options here if the draft plays out the way we’re predicting. Graham is a game-wrecking interior defensive lineman who could be another impact player in the mold of Warren Sapp and Aaron Donald. He might not slide this far.
