Last year, we started our coverage on the NFL Draft after the season had ended. This year, we are getting the jump on the draft just a week after the mid-season trade deadline hit. The 2025 season, for college and professional, has been a wild year for football. It seems as if players haven’t gotten injured at quite the rate they did last year (unless you are the 49ers), and we have seen some rookie sensations absolutely shine. Let’s take a look at the next class of newcomers that have a chance to shine and stand out like last year’s draft.
(Disclaimer: The draft rankings are based off the records of NFL teams AFTER Week Nine games. They are not final and are subject to change at any point in time)
FIRST ROUND
New England Patriots- CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
The common word around NCAA Football is that Travis Hunter is the best player in the league. Rightfully so. There have not been many instances where we have seen a raw talent that has been able to dominate on both sides of the ball like Hunter has been able to do. Also, he has been a major factor in the Colorado Buffaloes revival this year, along with some other first round talents. He should be able to come into the Patriots organization and make his presence felt right away. The only question will be does he continue to play two ways, and if he doesn’t, what side of the ball will he choose?
Jacksonville Jaguars- CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Johnson is probably the best player on defense in the entire draft (excluding Hunter and his 2-way play). The Jaguars are in need of some defense help. They have one of the weakest secondaries in the entire NFL, and haven’t had a playmaker at cornerback since Jalen Ramsey was with the organization. Johnson would predictably come in and start right away, with hopes of leaving an immediate impact like Sauce Gardener did with the Jets.
New Orleans Saints- QB Cam Ward, Miami (FL)
Derek Carr isn’t getting any younger. He also tends to make some questionable throws. Just ask Chris Olave, who has been concussed about 1,000 times in just a short three years in the league. Ward has taken the College Football scene by storm, and elevated Miami to a playoff likely team. There has been no other quarterback better than him this year. He has been able to throw the ball, take matters into his own hands when he needs to, and captain a team to a respectable record. Something that Carr has struggled to do in his tenure with the Saints.
Carolina Panthers- OT Kelvin Banks, Texas
The Panthers have no need for a quarterback here. It’s way too early for them to give up on Bryce Young. He has shown that he can lead game winning drives, and isn’t an awful quarterback. Instead of getting a new QB, they need to build around the one they have. Finding a cornerstone offensive tackle in this draft could pay dividends for the Panthers, who also have struggled with keeping Young safe in the pocket.
Cleveland Browns- QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
As we have seen, Deshaun Watson is CLEARLY not that guy. He has more legal cases than touchdown passes in Cleveland. It was thought that maybe Jameis Winston could be the knight in shining armor, but that has not been the case. The Browns are in desperate need of a signal caller, and Sanders could potentially take the job day one. He’s got athleticism and knows how to rebuild a struggling team (much like teammate Travis Hunter) so it seems like a no-brainer for the Browns if he falls here.
Las Vegas Raiders- WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
With the departure of Davante Adams, the Raiders now look to add a big-time offensive playmaker. Literally any skill position besides TE would be the best way to go here. I have faith in Gardner Minshew, even though he has struggled this year, and I think that if the Raiders did go with McMillan the two players could thrive. McMillan has a great frame as a wide receiver, standing 6’5 and 215 pounds. He also comes from an offense where he is utilized majorly. If he can pair and share targets with Brock Bowers, he can be a top receiver in the league.
New York Giants- QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
The Daniel Jones experiment is over. They need to drop him and his huge waste of a contract. With that being said, if they lose him they don’t quite have a QB. They have Tommy DeVito, but he’s unproven and honestly, even though you may want him to be, not all that good. Jalen Milroe can get it done both ways. He can throw and he can run. This would bring a dynamic offense to a lacking Giants team. I wanted them to take Jayden Daniels in last year’s draft, but he didn’t fall. Now we know why. If they can get a playmaker similar to the likes of Daniels, maybe they can benefit from success much like the Commanders have this season.
Miami Dolphins- OT Will Campbell, LSU
Tua Tagovailoa has to be trying to get himself killed at this point. There’s no way he isn’t. But, if they can get a guy to maybe block for him, he may change his mind. Plus, having an NFL ready offensive tackle may help out with the run game a bit. The Dolphins have all the pieces but one. They need to test out what’s wrong, and find that piece. Once they do, they will be contenders for a Super Bowl. If that problem is on the offensive line then Campbell will pay off sweetly. If not, hey, they still got a pretty good offensive lineman, and now they don’t have to worry about paying one in free agency.
Tennessee Titans- QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
I’ll be honest, it’s about time to give up on Will Levis. I was the biggest Levis supporter coming out of last year’s draft, and honestly, I think he could be good with the right program. The Titans have just messed him up though. He doesn’t quite have the weapons he needs, the coaches clearly dislike him, and he’s already 25. Ewers has been quite good for Texas this year, and if the Titans do go with QB here, he’s the guy. They could go in a plethora of directions, maybe even keeping Levis and building around him. I say they go the safe route, though, and get a young rookie QB, and build around him.
New York Jets- DL Mason Graham, Michigan
The Jets are another team that could go a few directions with this pick, especially if Aaron Rodgers retires. If they stick and pick, they will probably go with the best available and pick up a very good defensive lineman to bolster up a defense once believed to be the best in the league. Pairing Graham up alongside Quinnen Williams and Will McDonald IV could create a nasty defensive line that would wreak havoc on the league for years to come.
Dallas Cowboys- RB Ashton Jeanty- Boise State
The Cowboys have sucked this year, (unsurprisingly to me) but their main problem has been running the ball. They don’t have that dynamic running back like they have for the past decade in Ezekiel Elliot. Jeanty might just be that guy. If they can get a playmaker that helps fire up their offense, they can be good again. They could also go with a defensive player here, as they have struggled mightily on both sides of the ball. Heck, fans may even be willing to draft a whole new coach or owner at this spot.
Indianapolis Colts- CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
The Colts also have just about ran out of time with their young QB. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt here and say that he hasn’t had much time to develop at all. With that being said, their next biggest concern is either on the defensive side of the ball, or at TE. I have them taking Morrison to play alongside Kenny Moore II and Julius Brents. They definitely lack secondary skill, so taking Morrison would potentially benefit them a lot.
- Cincinnati Bengals- EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
The Bengals need to improve somewhere. Much like the Cowboys, they have come as a surprise this season. They are struggling to win games, even though they are performing well. If they can steal Pearce at this pick and pair him with Trey Hendrickson, the front seven will immediately improve and they will look to boast one of the scariest defenses in the league.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- WR Luther Burden, Missouri
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are both very injury prone. Neither are getting any younger. If the Buccaneers want to keep Baker Mayfield’s Cinderella story alive, they need to look at some new offensive weapons. They have a pair of solid running backs, a great tight end, and if the two wide receivers can stay healthy they are top 15 in the league. If they can get a young WR on the team who can be the third man on the outside or the number one when the receivers go down, their offense should be unstoppable.
Seattle Seahawks- OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
The Seahawks could go a few different ways here. The offensive line has struggled some this year, but not majorly. Ersery is a very good offensive tackle, but if they needed a piece inside he could surely slide over. The need to bolster the offensive line is definitely there, but don’t be surprised if they decide to draft an edge rusher here instead of Ersery.
Los Angeles Rams- WR Isaiah Bond, Texas
The Rams, also much like the Buccaneers, need a third man in their wide receiver core. They have Cooper Kupp, but he is getting older and is very injury prone. They also have Puka Nucua, but he can’t be the lone WR on the team once they lose Kupp. Bond is a very speedy WR much like his former teammate Xavier Worthy, and can be that second offensive perspective that the Rams need. They may also go QB here, so watch for that.
San Francisco 49ers- EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
The 49ers have tried to find an edge rusher to pair alongside Nick Bosa before. They have failed each time. Pairing Scourton with Bosa could work well. Especially if Scourton reaches his full potential.
Chicago Bears- DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan
The Bears formerly held the number one overall pick in the draft. They chose Caleb Williams. This has paid off somewhat, but now they need to improve other areas of the team. They can go a few ways here. They need offensive line help, but that can be achieved later in the draft. They also need help on the defensive front. Taking one of the Michigan tandem two from the defensive line will boost that defensive line from unknown journeymen to cornerstone por-bowlers.
Denver Broncos- TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
It’s been a common theme with NFL teams this year. The Broncos need a dynamic playmaker, and Loveland could provide that for them. They have Courtland Sutton but he is the main receiver for Bo Nix. If they can surround Nix with more weapons, he will be able to bring the Broncos to the promised land.
Arizona Cardinals- EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
The Cardinals formerly had J.J. Watt, and before that they had Chandler Jones. Since those times, they have struggled finding a defensive havoc maker on the defensive line. Carter can provide that burst of life for their defense they have been searching for.
Los Angeles Chargers- EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
The Chargers have succeeded under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. There aren’t many positions they need to improve on, but if they can take an edge rusher and put him under the wing of Joey Bosa, that could pay off sweetly.
Atlanta Falcons- DL Deone Walker, Kentucky
After losing Calais Campbell, the Falcons need another defensive lineman. Walker has the size and the speed to be an amazing nose tackle. I just don’t know if he will declare for the draft this season.
Green Bay Packers- CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
The Packers defense this year has been amazing at getting interceptions. Tey have struggled in the cornerback department though. They need to get a cornerback to pair alongside Jaire Alexander, and why not take a small school cornerback like Revel and see if he can give them the Quiyon Mitchell effect.
Baltimore Ravens- OT Cameron Williams, Texas
The Raven’s offensive tackle group has looked solid this year, but if they can get an offensive lineman who can slide all around that will help them out massively. Also, Ronnie Stanley hasn’t gotten any younger, and he has a history of injuries. If they can get someone who can go under him and learn for a few years, they can have one of the best offensive tackle duos in the league.
Houston Texans- LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
The Texans have mainly revamped their whole team. They can still use that field general linebacker though. With Demeco Ryans at head coach. Walker could learn under a coach who had experience as that field general middle linebacker before.
Philadelphia Eagle- S Malaki Starks, Georgia
The Eagles have a pretty solid secondary, but C.J. Gardener-Johnson has been very injury prone in his career. Malaki Starks can provide a backup option who can flower into the number one guy once Gardener-Johnson is lost to free agency.
Pittsburgh Steelers- QB Carson Beck
Both QB options for the Steelers have short contracts. Russel Wilson is also no spring chicken when it comes to NFL terms. Getting a QB who comes from a winning program can help Mike Tomlin keep that “winning mojo” in the air and potentially keep them from finishing barely afloat at 9-8.
Minnesota Vikings- IOL Tyler Booker, Alabama
Another player who comes from a winning program, Booker can come in and immediately compete for one of the inside offensive line positions, and can also sit behind Dalton Risner and learn.
Washington Commanders- WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
The Commanders run thin at wide receiver. They have Terry McLaurin, but they struggle at the number two option there. If they can get Egbuka in the slot, they can add another weapon for Jayden Daniels and hopefully make a playoff push.
Buffalo Bills- EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
The Bills don’t need much, but finding a stud edge rusher could help them out some. They could look to find an offensive weapon here, but Jack Sawyer is probably the best available and could also take lessons from Von Miller.
Detroit Lions- IOL Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
The Lions inside offensive lineman are certainly not a young position group. Both are above 30 years old. Taking Savaiinaea can add youth to the IOL, and help a very good team out by planning for the future.
Kansas City Chiefs- OT Emery Jones Jr., LSU
As many know, the Chiefs offensive tackle Jawaan Jones likes to false start, a lot. If the Chiefs ever lose their black magic, they will be in for a rough time. Drafting an offensive tackle to take his spot is probably the best thing they can do if they wind up with this draft spot.
QB=Quarterback, RB=Running Back, FB=Fullback WR=Wide Receiver, TE=Tight End, OT=Offensive Tackle, IOL=Inside Offensive Line, O-Line=Offensive Line, DT=Defensive Tackle, Edge=Edge Rusher/Defensive End, OLB=Outside Linebacker, LB=Linebacker, ILB=Inside Linebacker/Middle Linebacker, CB=Cornerback, S=Safety, K=Kicker, P=Punter, KR=Kick Returner, PR=Punt Returner, Hld.=Holder, LS=Long Snapper