- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 393,441
- Reaction score
- 43
We're down to four weeks until the 2025 NFL draft. For the first time in modern history, the stage is set for all 32 teams to own their own pick in the first round. That hasn't happened since the league expanded in 2002.
This draft lacks some of the high-end offensive talent that set a draft record in 2024. Twenty-three of the 32 picks in the first round were offensive players last year; it'd be a shock if that were the case once again in 2025.
This year's draft class is very deep on the defensive line, both at edge rusher and on the interior. It's also one of the deepest running back classes of the last decade. Regardless of position, the consensus top players in the draft are Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is among the top talents as well.
Quarterback is thinner at the top than last season but Miami's Cam Ward remains the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick.
Once you get past the first dozen picks, there's not a huge discrepancy in talent as you get deeper into the first round. The prospect picked at No. 20 won't be much better right now than the player selected at No. 40.
That means there could be many moves up and down the board as teams ensure they get their ideal players at certain positions. Here are the teams we think are most likely to move up or down the board.
The Vikings' reasoning for trading down is pretty straightforward. They have a league-low four picks in the entire 2025 NFL draft: one pick each in the first round (No. 24 overall), third round (No. 97), fourth round (No. 139) and sixth round (No. 187).
Minnesota spent well to plug holes on the roster in free agency, specifically addressing the interior defensive line and re-shaping the interior offensive line. They could still use help at multiple spots, though, and would likely love to recoup an extra top-100 pick for moving back. It's not a top-heavy cornerback class but there are lots of good, developmental pieces and netting more picks to invest in the secondary would be worthwhile.
Atlanta's in a similar spot to Minnesota. The Falcons have just five draft picks this year, two of which are in the seventh round. They are currently without a pick in the third, fifth and sixth rounds.
Atlanta's roster needs a lot more help than Minnesota's does at this point. There are needs all over the defense and the offense could use some reinforcement, including at center with Drew Dalman's departure in free agency. In a deep defensive draft, the Falcons would be well served to recoup more picks.
The Dolphins have 10 total picks in the 2025 draft, among the most in the league. This is more about where they sit in the first round than about a need to recoup more draft capital.
They're slated to pick No. 13 overall in the first round. At that point, it wouldn't be a surprise if most of the top offensive linemen, defensive linemen and quarterbacks are off the board. That could leave a team dead-set on taking a specific player to phone the Dolphins and ensure they get their guy in Round 1. All it takes is one player for one team to make the move.
Washington's reasoning for trading down is a mix of the others on the list. They have just five picks in the draft due to their trade for tackle Laremy Tunsil and are at a point in the first round that would make sense to trade down.
At No. 29 overall, there could be quarterback-needy teams looking to drop back into the first round and secure the fifth-year option on a player. There could be a wide receiver or edge rusher who surprisingly falls down the order. It wouldn't take much for a team picking early in the second round to move up with Washington as a trade partner, especially considering there will likely be plenty of options at positions of need for the franchise in Round 2.
Cleveland is a prime trade-up candidate, more so in the circumstance that they do not pick a quarterback at No. 2 overall. If they opt for Hunter or Carter at that spot, they'd be in a good spot to trade back up with the likes of Minnesota or Washington back into Round 1 and secure a quarterback then.
Cleveland would have an enticing offer for teams late in the first round. They could offer the top pick on Day 2, No. 33 overall, and have extra picks in the third and sixth rounds. This could also work if they select a quarterback at No. 2 overall. If there's an edge rusher on the board in the late 20s, they'd have a great shot at moving up to get him.
The Jets signing Justin Fields doesn't preclude them from taking an interest in quarterback. They have multiple other needs on the roster as well, including offensive tackle, defensive tackle and in the receiving corps (either wide receiver or tight end).
New York picks at No. 7 overall in the first round then No. 42 in the second round. They have extra picks in the fifth and sixth rounds that could sweeten a deal to move back into the late first round or early second if they want to secure a fifth-year option for a quarterback or secure one of the top four wide receivers in the class.
At time of publishing, Seattle owns five picks in the top 100 selections, more than any other team in the league. They have 10 picks overall:
That kind of draft ammunition spread out relatively evenly means they could easily move up in Round 1 from their original spot or jump back into the first round should a player be available after their pick at No. 18.
San Francisco needs help in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Even though this is a deep draft on the defensive line, it's not as good on the offensive line, specifically at tackle.
If the 49ers want to use this draft to find a successor for Trent Williams, he may not be there when they pick at No. 12 overall in the first round. They may have to jump into the top 10 to do so. The 49ers are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the most selections in the 2025 draft with 11.
San Francisco may be looking for a quick rebound from last year's 6-11 campaign and securing one of the best players in the class would be a good way to do so. Even if the top tackles are off the board, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the 49ers move into the top 10 to select one of the top players on the defensive line. Michigan's Mason Graham, Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart and Georgia's Mykel Williams all could be targets.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 NFL draft: Vikings, Browns lead teams most likely to trade
Continue reading...
This draft lacks some of the high-end offensive talent that set a draft record in 2024. Twenty-three of the 32 picks in the first round were offensive players last year; it'd be a shock if that were the case once again in 2025.
This year's draft class is very deep on the defensive line, both at edge rusher and on the interior. It's also one of the deepest running back classes of the last decade. Regardless of position, the consensus top players in the draft are Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is among the top talents as well.
Quarterback is thinner at the top than last season but Miami's Cam Ward remains the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick.
Once you get past the first dozen picks, there's not a huge discrepancy in talent as you get deeper into the first round. The prospect picked at No. 20 won't be much better right now than the player selected at No. 40.
That means there could be many moves up and down the board as teams ensure they get their ideal players at certain positions. Here are the teams we think are most likely to move up or down the board.
2025 NFL draft: Trade-down candidates
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings' reasoning for trading down is pretty straightforward. They have a league-low four picks in the entire 2025 NFL draft: one pick each in the first round (No. 24 overall), third round (No. 97), fourth round (No. 139) and sixth round (No. 187).
Minnesota spent well to plug holes on the roster in free agency, specifically addressing the interior defensive line and re-shaping the interior offensive line. They could still use help at multiple spots, though, and would likely love to recoup an extra top-100 pick for moving back. It's not a top-heavy cornerback class but there are lots of good, developmental pieces and netting more picks to invest in the secondary would be worthwhile.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta's in a similar spot to Minnesota. The Falcons have just five draft picks this year, two of which are in the seventh round. They are currently without a pick in the third, fifth and sixth rounds.
Atlanta's roster needs a lot more help than Minnesota's does at this point. There are needs all over the defense and the offense could use some reinforcement, including at center with Drew Dalman's departure in free agency. In a deep defensive draft, the Falcons would be well served to recoup more picks.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have 10 total picks in the 2025 draft, among the most in the league. This is more about where they sit in the first round than about a need to recoup more draft capital.
They're slated to pick No. 13 overall in the first round. At that point, it wouldn't be a surprise if most of the top offensive linemen, defensive linemen and quarterbacks are off the board. That could leave a team dead-set on taking a specific player to phone the Dolphins and ensure they get their guy in Round 1. All it takes is one player for one team to make the move.
Washington Commanders
Washington's reasoning for trading down is a mix of the others on the list. They have just five picks in the draft due to their trade for tackle Laremy Tunsil and are at a point in the first round that would make sense to trade down.
At No. 29 overall, there could be quarterback-needy teams looking to drop back into the first round and secure the fifth-year option on a player. There could be a wide receiver or edge rusher who surprisingly falls down the order. It wouldn't take much for a team picking early in the second round to move up with Washington as a trade partner, especially considering there will likely be plenty of options at positions of need for the franchise in Round 2.
2025 NFL draft: Trade-up candidates
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland is a prime trade-up candidate, more so in the circumstance that they do not pick a quarterback at No. 2 overall. If they opt for Hunter or Carter at that spot, they'd be in a good spot to trade back up with the likes of Minnesota or Washington back into Round 1 and secure a quarterback then.
Cleveland would have an enticing offer for teams late in the first round. They could offer the top pick on Day 2, No. 33 overall, and have extra picks in the third and sixth rounds. This could also work if they select a quarterback at No. 2 overall. If there's an edge rusher on the board in the late 20s, they'd have a great shot at moving up to get him.
New York Jets
The Jets signing Justin Fields doesn't preclude them from taking an interest in quarterback. They have multiple other needs on the roster as well, including offensive tackle, defensive tackle and in the receiving corps (either wide receiver or tight end).
New York picks at No. 7 overall in the first round then No. 42 in the second round. They have extra picks in the fifth and sixth rounds that could sweeten a deal to move back into the late first round or early second if they want to secure a fifth-year option for a quarterback or secure one of the top four wide receivers in the class.
Seattle Seahawks
At time of publishing, Seattle owns five picks in the top 100 selections, more than any other team in the league. They have 10 picks overall:
- No. 18 in Round 1
- Nos. 50 and 52 in Round 2
- Nos. 82 and 92 in Round 3
- No. 137 in Round 4
- Nos. 172 and 175 in Round 5
- Nos. 223 and 234 in Round 7
That kind of draft ammunition spread out relatively evenly means they could easily move up in Round 1 from their original spot or jump back into the first round should a player be available after their pick at No. 18.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco needs help in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Even though this is a deep draft on the defensive line, it's not as good on the offensive line, specifically at tackle.
If the 49ers want to use this draft to find a successor for Trent Williams, he may not be there when they pick at No. 12 overall in the first round. They may have to jump into the top 10 to do so. The 49ers are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the most selections in the 2025 draft with 11.
San Francisco may be looking for a quick rebound from last year's 6-11 campaign and securing one of the best players in the class would be a good way to do so. Even if the top tackles are off the board, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the 49ers move into the top 10 to select one of the top players on the defensive line. Michigan's Mason Graham, Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart and Georgia's Mykel Williams all could be targets.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 NFL draft: Vikings, Browns lead teams most likely to trade
Continue reading...
