It's the week of the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin), so we will soon know exactly how the first round will unfold.
Before the Tennessee Titans go on the clock with the first overall pick Thursday night and draft prospects begin coming off the board, we asked one question:
What is your bold prediction for Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft?
I think it's possible that four QBs are selected in Round 1. The Saints (facing uncertainty around the availability of Derek Carr) and Steelers (with Aaron Rodgers undecided about his future) are in tough spots, lacking clearly defined starters on their rosters. The Browns and Giants might pass on QBs at Nos. 2 and 3 overall, respectively, but they surely wouldn’t hesitate to move up, if necessary, from the top of Round 2. It might not be a great quarterback class, but that sometimes doesn’t matter.
Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty will be picked before Raiders head coach Pete Carroll can make the call at No. 6. The Giants likely have FOMO after watching Saquon Barkley, whom they drafted second overall in 2018, leave to win a Super Bowl with the rival Eagles -- and they could use the third overall pick on Jeanty to alleviate that feeling. Or Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, whose team picks at No. 4, could tab Jeanty to carry the load on offense, as Derrick Henry once did for Vrabel in Tennessee. If Jeanty’s still around at No. 5, the Jaguars could take him as the best player available, or trade out with someone else (the Bears, 49ers, Cowboys or even, if Carroll can't wait until his original draft slot, Las Vegas) for additional draft capital.
There will be at least seven edge rushers drafted in the first round. This draft is deep in defensive linemen, especially on the edges. There are obviously potential top-10 prospects like Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams. There also are exciting talents such as Mike Green, Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Pearce Jr. And there are plenty more after those names. Disrupting the quarterback is critical to success in this league. That’s why it will be hard for several teams to pass on these types of players on Day 1.
It's been almost unanimously assumed during the pre-draft process that Cleveland will select either edge rusher Abdul Carter or two-way player Travis Hunter with the second overall pick. However, early on Thursday night, the Browns provide a shocker when they take QB Shedeur Sanders in that spot.
Despite speculation that three quarterbacks could go in the first round (Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart), my bold take is that we will only see two drafted in Round 1 when it is all said and done. I don't see the Browns (No. 2), Giants (No. 3), Raiders (No. 6) or Jets (No. 7) taking a quarterback, so that leaves the Saints (No. 9) and Steelers (No. 21) as the most obvious teams to select one after the Titans, who hold the No. 1 overall pick. There is a very real chance that only one of those teams decides to wade into a quarterback pool that appears to be lukewarm, based upon tape and traits. Drafting a quarterback in the first tends to put the jobs of the GM and head coach immediately on the line. I'm just not sure there will be three teams willing to take their chances on a QB on Thursday night.
You should know by now that I'm a big fan of this year's running back class -- so much so that I think there will be four running backs taken Thursday night, including two in the top 10. Boise State's Ashton Jeanty is a shoo-in top-10 pick. Then, because there are a number of RB-needy teams picking in the top 10, there's a chance North Carolina's Omarion Hampton or Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson will be off the board by the time the 49ers go on the clock at No. 11. The other player at the position hearing his name in Round 1 will be Henderson's Buckeye running mate, Quinshon Judkins.
I think there will be only one quarterback taken in Round 1: Cam Ward, whom Tennessee will select first overall. I don't love the fit. Brian Callahan runs a traditional system, with the quarterback leading the offense at the line of scrimmage, which was why Joe Burrow was the perfect signal-caller for Callahan when he was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. Ward didn't operate that kind of offense in college, and I'd argue it's not what he excels at. The Titans offensive coaching staff is likely going to have to re-invent itself with Ward under center. That said, I don't think another QB will have his name called before Thursday night winds down.
Two tight ends will be selected in the top 10. Wild, I know. I have a full explanation in my Mock Draft … with a Twist!, but here's the way I see it. There are likely many teams smarting from not taking Brock Bowers last year (looking at you, Jets), to the point that Tyler Warren should be snapped up nice and early (by the Jaguars at No. 5, if you ask me). Then I’d suggest that the Jets (at No. 7) and Panthers (No. 8) take a really good look at Colston Loveland -- and I wouldn’t rule out the Bears at No. 10, either. Side take: Matthew Golden should go in the top 10, too. Ah, just click the link.