2025 NFL Draft order: Jaguars hold top pick after Panthers, Patriots wins spark major shake-up

Biggest needs: CB, S, WR, OT, DT

Week 11 opponent: at Lions

Remaining strength of schedule: .409 (T-28th)

The Jaguars are in line to possess the No. 1 overall pick for the third time in five years; they selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2021 and edge rusher Travon Walker in 2022. This April, though, I wouldn't expect the Jags to use the top selection themselves, but rather try to trade down a few spots to a QB-needy franchise. I wouldn't think they'd want to go too far down the draft board, however, and lose out on a chance to pick a premier cornerback.

Biggest needs: QB, OT, CB, WR, OG

Week 11 opponent: BYE

Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-18th)

After five straight losses, including Sunday's upset to Carolina on the international stage, the Giants have shot up the draft board, holding their highest selection since they took Saquon Barkley at No. 2 overall in 2018. Hard to imagine the franchise not using a premium pick on one of the top QBs in the 2025 class. Daniel Jones hasn't been the only reason for the team's offensive struggles this season, but he's definitely been part of the problem.

Biggest needs: WR, QB, OT, Edge, DT

Week 11 opponent: at Saints

Remaining strength of schedule: .592 (2nd)

Browns GM Andrew Berry was notably vague last week when discussing Deshaun Watson's future with the Browns, saying the team's focus was on the QB's health and recovery, with everything else to be decided "at a later moment." Watson's Achilles injury, subpar play and hefty contract all factor into what comes next. So would a top-three pick and the opportunity to select a new face of the franchise.

Biggest needs: WR, S, QB, Edge, OG

Week 11 opponent: vs. Vikings

Remaining strength of schedule: .481 (22nd)

Quarterback is a major question mark for Tennessee heading into 2025. Will Levis has been inconsistent at best when healthy and veteran backup Mason Rudolph will be a free agent. It's possible the Titans will be patient with Levis, but they may not be able to ignore a quarterback prospect if picking this early.

Biggest needs: QB, WR, DT, S, RB

Week 11 opponent: at Dolphins

Remaining strength of schedule: .494 (21st)

The Raiders have the worst rushing attack in the NFL, averaging a league-low 76.9 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry. Leading rusher Alexander Mattison and veteran Ameer Abdullah are both headed to free agency, while Zamir White has one year left on his deal. Selecting a dynamic ball-carrier in the top half of the draft should be a priority.

Biggest needs: OT, Edge, OG, CB, WR

Week 11 opponent: vs. Rams

Remaining strength of schedule: .582 (T-3rd)

Addressing the interior O-line is going to be a must. The Patriots selected Sidy Sow in the fourth round and Atonio Mafi in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Sow, who started 13 games as a rookie, was sidelined early this season by an ankle injury, started once (against the 49ers in Week 4) and has not returned to the starting lineup since. Mafi was waived in August. Former first-round pick Cole Strange has been an adequate starter but has not played since suffering a knee injury last December. Guard Michael Jordan is headed for free agency after this season. The Patriots could plug Strange in at center when he returns, but they'll still be searching for at least one more interior starter to play alongside 2024 fourth-rounder Layden Robinson.

Biggest needs: Edge, WR, C, CB, QB

Week 11 opponent: BYE

Remaining strength of schedule: .582 (T-3rd)

Panthers GM Dan Morgan pulled off a nice trade in August when he snagged cornerback Mike Jackson from the Seahawks; Jackson is fourth on the team in tackles (48) and is tied for 12th in the NFL in passes defensed (eight). Morgan should still be evaluating corner prospects, however, because Jackson is set to become a free agent in March, and Jaycee Horn and Dane Jackson will be heading into contract years. 

Biggest needs: DT, QB, OT, S, CB

Week 11 opponent: vs. Colts

Remaining strength of schedule: .424 (27th)

The Jets are surely hoping 2024 first-rounder Olu Fashanu will be their long-term answer at left tackle, but there is still a need at the position, given that right tackle Morgan Moses and veteran Tyron Smith (who was replaced by Fashanu on Sunday after suffering a neck injury) are both ticketed for free agency in 2025. Someone will have to join Fashanu in the lineup next season, and it's unclear whether past fourth-round picks Max Mitchell (12 starts in 24 games since 2022) or Carter Warren (five starts in nine game since 2023) will be the ones to do so.

Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, OT, TE, S

Week 11 opponent: vs. Browns

Remaining strength of schedule: .409 (T-28th)

Cornerback became a priority need for the Saints in 2025 after the team dealt four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore to the Commanders in exchange for middle-round picks. Paulson Adebo -- out for the season with a broken femur -- is set to be a free agent after the season, as well. So another defender must be added to aid 2024 second-round selection Kool-Aid McKinstry and 2022 second-rounder Alontae Taylor, who has one more year left on his rookie contract.

Biggest needs: S, OG, DT, LB, QB

Week 11 opponent: vs. Raiders

Remaining strength of schedule: .395 (30th)

Rookie safety Patrick McMorris was designated to return from injured reserve last week as he works his way back from a preseason injury. However, all the other safeties on the roster are headed for free agency in 2025. An early-round selection will be needed unless Jevón Holland, Marcus Maye and/or Jordan Poyer are re-signed.

Biggest needs: RB, WR, Edge, DT, CB 

Week 11 opponent: vs. Texans

Remaining strength of schedule: .506 (17th)

The Cowboys should be looking for another young cornerback to pair with 2024 fifth-round pick Caelen Carson this spring. Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland have rarely been on the field at the same time the past two seasons due to injuries. Also, Dallas may need to replace impending free agents Jourdan Lewis, Israel Mukuamu and Amani Oruwariye. 

Biggest needs: WR, OG, OT, CB, TE

Week 11 opponent: at Chargers

Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-18th)

The season-ending knee injury for rookie Erick All Jr., combined with the impending free agency of Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson makes tight end a need for the Bengals in 2025. There should be sufficient depth in the tight end class to find another solid player on Day 3, as they did when picking All in Round 4 this year. 

Biggest needs: CB, IOL, DT, Edge, LB

Week 11 opponent: at Jets

Remaining strength of schedule: .368 (31st)

Starting linebacker E.J. Speed and backup/special teams ace Grant Stuard hit the open market this spring, leaving Zaire Franklin in need of a couple of reliable tacklers to join him at the second level. Note that Speed (fifth round), Franklin (seventh) and Stuard (seventh by Tampa Bay) were all Day 3 selections, so Indianapolis might opt to wait until later in the draft to address this need.

Biggest needs: WR, OG, LB, Edge, CB

Week 11 opponent: BYE

Remaining strength of schedule: .328 (32nd) 

The Buccaneers should select another edge defender in the middle rounds to compete for playing time with 2024 second-round pick Chris Braswell (11 tackles, 0.5 sacks so far this year) and starter Yaya Diaby in 2025, even if impending free agents Joe Tryon-Shoyinka or Anthony Nelson return. Teams can never have too many effective pass rushers.

Biggest needs: OG, C, OT, Edge, WR

Week 11 opponent: vs. Packers

Remaining strength of schedule: .708 (1st)

The team is banking on Caleb Williams and receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore becoming a powerful trio in 2025, although it hasn’t come together so far this season. Veteran Keenan Allen is due to become a free agent, as is backup receiver/return specialist DeAndre Carter, and former fourth-round pick Tyler Scott has yet to contribute on offense this year. Chicago must spend at least one pick on a receiver for Williams' benefit.

Biggest needs: OT, QB, Edge, OG, LB

Week 11 opponent: at 49ers

Remaining strength of schedule: .547 (8th)

Past second-round picks Derick Hall and Boye Mafe lead the Seahawks with five and four sacks, respectively, but I’m looking for another draft pick to enter the pass-rushing fold in 2025. Uchenna Nwosu's last two seasons have been plagued by injury and Trevis Gipson is due to become a free agent. Also, Dre’Mont Jones has a big cap number next year.

Biggest needs: OT, CB, WR, LB, OG

Week 11 opponent: at Patriots

Remaining strength of schedule: .507 (16th)

Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila have been injured for much of the season, exposing a lack of depth on the interior offensive line. Look for another IOL to be picked on Day 3 of the draft this spring.

Biggest needs: CB, DT, LB, OT, OG

Week 11 opponent: vs. Seahawks

Remaining strength of schedule: .581 (5th)

Rookie Dominick Puni has played admirably as the 49ers’ starting right guard this season. The team will likely be looking for another starting guard this spring, though, unless impending free agent Aaron Banks is re-signed.

Biggest needs: OT, LB, TE, S, RB

Week 11 opponent: vs. Falcons

Remaining strength of schedule: .500 (T-18th)

Biggest needs: C, Edge, S, CB, WR

Week 11 opponent: at Broncos

Remaining strength of schedule: .478 (23rd)

Biggest needs: OG, DT, CB, S, WR

Week 11 opponent: at Cowboys

Remaining strength of schedule: .431 (26th)

Biggest needs: Edge, WR, OG, CB, DT

Week 11 opponent: BYE

Remaining strength of schedule: .462 (25th)

Biggest needs: Edge, DT, C, TE, WR

Week 11 opponent: vs. Bengals

Remaining strength of schedule: .512 (15th)

Biggest needs: CB, Edge, OT, DT, WR

Week 11 opponent: at Bears

Remaining strength of schedule: .521 (12th)

Biggest needs: WR, Edge, LB, CB, OT

Week 11 opponent: at Eagles

Remaining strength of schedule: .477 (24th)

Biggest needs: OT, WR, Edge, OG, CB

Week 11 opponent: at Steelers

Remaining strength of schedule: .569 (6th)

Biggest needs: WR, Edge, OT, LB, TE

Week 11 opponent: vs. Commanders

Remaining strength of schedule: .520 (13th)

Biggest needs: QB, CB, OT, RB, WR

Week 11 opponent: vs. Ravens

Remaining strength of schedule: .553 (7th)

Biggest needs: CB, DT, RB, OG, OT

Week 11 opponent: at Titans

Remaining strength of schedule: .541 (9th)

Biggest needs: WR, Edge, CB, DT, S

Week 11 opponent: vs. Chiefs

Remaining strength of schedule: .530 (11th)

Biggest needs: Edge, CB, WR, OG, DT

Week 11 opponent: vs. Jaguars

Remaining strength of schedule: .533 (10th)

Biggest needs: CB, DT, OG, WR, LB

Week 11 opponent: at Bills

Remaining strength of schedule: .513 (14th)