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The 2025 NFL draft is roughly one week away, and teams are finalizing their draft boards as they look to improve their rosters in the short- and long-term future.
The Tennessee Titans are sitting with the first overall selection after a 3-13 record, where the expectation is they're going to draft quarterback Cam Ward. But could they go an entirely different direction? And if Ward were to fall, would the Cleveland Browns or New York Giants be willing to let him get past them?
Sometimes, the NFL draft doesn't go how you think. Now and again, a team takes a chance on a player many believe would be drafted later. Sometimes, players that you thought were going to be selected high fall farther than expected. That's the beauty of the draft: No one knows anything until it unfolds.
With the NFL draft just around the corner, here are our latest first-round projections, which feature some surprises in the Top 10.
Everyone expects the Titans to select quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick. However, they might be wise to understand that this class isn't that impressive at the QB position. Taking Abdul Carter, the best player in the draft, is the move for them.
The Browns don't get Carter like they probably thought here, but Mason Graham is an exceptional defensive lineman who will make an impact at the NFL level.
The Giants elect to pass on Ward and instead land a versatile playmaker in Travis Hunter, where they can use him effectively on both sides of the ball.
The Patriots will be looking to shore up pass protection for Drake Maye. While many believe Will Campbell will be the pick, they elect to take Armand Membou here.
The Jaguars try to redeem themselves with a great draft pick on the defensive line. Mykel Williams helps address the issues.
The Raiders are the team willing to over-draft Ashton Jeanty. While he's a dominant player, it's hard to justify drafting a running back this high.
The Jets signed Justin Fields this offseason after moving on from Aaron Rodgers, but there's no knowing if he's the long-term answer. Cam Ward as an understudy may not be a bad idea for them if he falls to No. 7.
The Panthers saw good things from Bryce Young in 2024, and they add another weapon for him with receiver Tetairoa McMillann at eighth overall.
The Saints need help everywhere, but they elect to improve their defensive backfield with the addition of Will Johnson.
The dream scenario for the Chicago Bears is that Will Campbell falls to them at 10th overall. Will it happen? Who knows, but it happens here.
The 49ers are getting a little bit older, so they make a move for a young stud in Jalon Walker, who will give opposing offenses fits.
The Cowboys select Malaki Starks at No. 12. Improving their defense may allow Dak Prescott to elevate the offense just enough to be a playoff team again.
The Dolphins add some much-needed help on the offensive line with Kelvin Banks Jr.
The first tight end off the board is Tyler Warren, who's going to a Colts team in need of a little bit of help on offense.
After going for offensive skill positions with their most recent first-round selections, the Falcons finally address their defense with the selection of Shemar Stewart.
The Cardinals try to do Kyler Murray a solid by shoring up pass protection with the selection of Josh Simmons.
The Bengals are doing Joe Burrow a disservice every year they don't make the playoffs despite him putting up MVP numbers. Drafting Jihaad Campbell would be a big boost for their defense.
The Seahawks opt to shore up the offensive line for new quarterback Sam Darnold by giving him guard Tyler Booker.
The Buccaneers are great at drafting and developing, which is why edge rusher Mike Green makes perfect sense for them.
The Broncos are looking to get to the next level in 2025, and adding a running back like Omarion Hampton would certainly help elevate the offense around Bo Nix.
The Steelers, who moved on from Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, are still looking for a quarterback. Taking Shedeur Sanders at No. 21 is far less of a risk than in the Top 10. They are also a good enough organization to develop him the right way.
The Chargers take the second tight end off the board with Colston Loveland. Jim Harbaugh will love taking a Michigan man to help Justin Herbert take a step with the offense.
It's back-to-back Wolverines as the Packers land defensive tackleKenneth Grant at No. 23. Another year, another non-offensive skill player for Green Bay.
The Vikings select Nick Emmanwori to improve their secondary and help them stay afloat in a competitive NFC North.
The Texans have a very talented quarterback in CJ Stroud, and he will get the offense to where it needs to be. Improving their defense, by drafting Jahdaw Barron, could get them to the next level.
The Rams' offensive line has been taking some hits lately, and Josh Conerly could be a guy that steps in.
The Ravens rely on their running game a lot. Grey Zabel would be a great addition to their offensive line. You can never have enough when you're a running power like the Ravens.
The Lions would love to become even more dangerous with their pass rush. James Pearce Jr. would be a perfect fit.
The Commanders made it to the NFC Championship on the back of Jayden Daniels. Now, imagine a world where their defense is even better. Derrick Harmon would be a great addition to their defensive line.
The Bills, a legit threat to win the Super Bowl, select Walter Nolen to help their defensive line.
The Chiefs are still borderline elite, but they can't draft luxury positions right now. Aireontae Ersery would help them in the trenches where they desperately need it.
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles improve their defense even more by selecting Donovan Ezeiruaku to improve their pass rush.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft: Giants pass on QB, Titans shock the world
Continue reading...
The Tennessee Titans are sitting with the first overall selection after a 3-13 record, where the expectation is they're going to draft quarterback Cam Ward. But could they go an entirely different direction? And if Ward were to fall, would the Cleveland Browns or New York Giants be willing to let him get past them?
Sometimes, the NFL draft doesn't go how you think. Now and again, a team takes a chance on a player many believe would be drafted later. Sometimes, players that you thought were going to be selected high fall farther than expected. That's the beauty of the draft: No one knows anything until it unfolds.
With the NFL draft just around the corner, here are our latest first-round projections, which feature some surprises in the Top 10.
1. Tennessee Titans - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Everyone expects the Titans to select quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick. However, they might be wise to understand that this class isn't that impressive at the QB position. Taking Abdul Carter, the best player in the draft, is the move for them.
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2. Cleveland Browns - Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The Browns don't get Carter like they probably thought here, but Mason Graham is an exceptional defensive lineman who will make an impact at the NFL level.
3. New York Giants - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Giants elect to pass on Ward and instead land a versatile playmaker in Travis Hunter, where they can use him effectively on both sides of the ball.
4. New England Patriots - Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Patriots will be looking to shore up pass protection for Drake Maye. While many believe Will Campbell will be the pick, they elect to take Armand Membou here.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Jaguars try to redeem themselves with a great draft pick on the defensive line. Mykel Williams helps address the issues.
6. Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Raiders are the team willing to over-draft Ashton Jeanty. While he's a dominant player, it's hard to justify drafting a running back this high.
7. New York Jets - Cam Ward, QB, Colorado
The Jets signed Justin Fields this offseason after moving on from Aaron Rodgers, but there's no knowing if he's the long-term answer. Cam Ward as an understudy may not be a bad idea for them if he falls to No. 7.
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8. Carolina Panthers - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Panthers saw good things from Bryce Young in 2024, and they add another weapon for him with receiver Tetairoa McMillann at eighth overall.
9. New Orleans Saints - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Saints need help everywhere, but they elect to improve their defensive backfield with the addition of Will Johnson.
10. Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU
The dream scenario for the Chicago Bears is that Will Campbell falls to them at 10th overall. Will it happen? Who knows, but it happens here.
11. San Francisco 49ers - Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
The 49ers are getting a little bit older, so they make a move for a young stud in Jalon Walker, who will give opposing offenses fits.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Cowboys select Malaki Starks at No. 12. Improving their defense may allow Dak Prescott to elevate the offense just enough to be a playoff team again.
13. Miami Dolphins - Kelvin Banks Jr. OT, Texas
The Dolphins add some much-needed help on the offensive line with Kelvin Banks Jr.
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14. Indianapolis Colts - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The first tight end off the board is Tyler Warren, who's going to a Colts team in need of a little bit of help on offense.
15. Atlanta Falcons - Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
After going for offensive skill positions with their most recent first-round selections, the Falcons finally address their defense with the selection of Shemar Stewart.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Cardinals try to do Kyler Murray a solid by shoring up pass protection with the selection of Josh Simmons.
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Bengals are doing Joe Burrow a disservice every year they don't make the playoffs despite him putting up MVP numbers. Drafting Jihaad Campbell would be a big boost for their defense.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
The Seahawks opt to shore up the offensive line for new quarterback Sam Darnold by giving him guard Tyler Booker.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The Buccaneers are great at drafting and developing, which is why edge rusher Mike Green makes perfect sense for them.
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20. Denver Broncos - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The Broncos are looking to get to the next level in 2025, and adding a running back like Omarion Hampton would certainly help elevate the offense around Bo Nix.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Steelers, who moved on from Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, are still looking for a quarterback. Taking Shedeur Sanders at No. 21 is far less of a risk than in the Top 10. They are also a good enough organization to develop him the right way.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Chargers take the second tight end off the board with Colston Loveland. Jim Harbaugh will love taking a Michigan man to help Justin Herbert take a step with the offense.
23. Green Bay Packers - Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
It's back-to-back Wolverines as the Packers land defensive tackleKenneth Grant at No. 23. Another year, another non-offensive skill player for Green Bay.
24. Minnesota Vikings - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Vikings select Nick Emmanwori to improve their secondary and help them stay afloat in a competitive NFC North.
25. Houston Texans - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Texans have a very talented quarterback in CJ Stroud, and he will get the offense to where it needs to be. Improving their defense, by drafting Jahdaw Barron, could get them to the next level.
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26. Los Angeles Rams - Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
The Rams' offensive line has been taking some hits lately, and Josh Conerly could be a guy that steps in.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
The Ravens rely on their running game a lot. Grey Zabel would be a great addition to their offensive line. You can never have enough when you're a running power like the Ravens.
28. Detroit Lions - James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
The Lions would love to become even more dangerous with their pass rush. James Pearce Jr. would be a perfect fit.
29. Washington Commanders - Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
The Commanders made it to the NFC Championship on the back of Jayden Daniels. Now, imagine a world where their defense is even better. Derrick Harmon would be a great addition to their defensive line.
30. Buffalo Bills - Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
The Bills, a legit threat to win the Super Bowl, select Walter Nolen to help their defensive line.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
The Chiefs are still borderline elite, but they can't draft luxury positions right now. Aireontae Ersery would help them in the trenches where they desperately need it.
32. Philadelphia Eagles - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles improve their defense even more by selecting Donovan Ezeiruaku to improve their pass rush.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft: Giants pass on QB, Titans shock the world
Continue reading...
