Football fans, the excitement is building as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, kicking off on Thursday. This three-day selection event offers teams an invaluable opportunity to enhance their rosters and secure their future. Currently, Miami's standout quarterback, Cam Ward, is projected to be the first player selected. With the Tennessee Titans holding the coveted No. 1 overall pick, their pressing need for a quarterback makes this choice critical, especially since they have made minimal improvements in this position during the offseason.
As the draft unfolds, uncertainty looms beyond the first pick. The Cleveland Browns, possessing the No. 2 selection, have not publicly confirmed their choice. General Manager Andrew Berry recently stated, "There are a number of guys that we like," indicating the potential for various scenarios. The Browns could either trade down, select the top quarterback on their board, or opt for an elite talent like Travis Hunter, a dual-threat WR/CB from Colorado, or Abdul Carter, a dynamic pass-rusher from Penn State. Their decision could have significant implications for subsequent picks in the draft.
With the draft day fast approaching, let's delve into how the first round might pan out. Many analysts and draft experts produce numerous mock drafts, but these predictions often miss the mark. The unpredictable nature of the draft means that a single surprise pick or unexpected trade can derail even the best-laid plans. This year, expectations may appear quite different in hindsight, as a scout remarked to ESPN's Matt Miller, "This first round is going to be wild." The uncertainty surrounding quarterback selections is particularly pronounced, leading to speculation about how teams will navigate their needs versus player potential.
The 2025 NFL Draft class boasts a mix of blue-chip prospects along with a large second tier, making it challenging for teams to evaluate talent. According to an NFL executive, "I don't think there's a difference between Player 10 and Player 40 in this draft." With Ward appearing to be the most reliable quarterback prospect, other quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders from Colorado, Jaxson Dart from Mississippi, and Jalen Milroe from Alabama are expected to be selected early, though their exact order remains uncertain.
The New Orleans Saints (picking at No. 9 overall) have emerged as a potential landing spot for Sanders, especially following reports about Derek Carr's shoulder injury, which could keep him sidelined in 2025. However, doubts linger about whether the Saints will pursue Sanders, given their past draft decision to select Spencer Rattler in the fifth round last year. A source indicated that they still hold significant interest in Rattler's abilities.
The race to secure a top quarterback is heating up, and the lack of consensus among teams regarding prospects could reshape the draft's trajectory. Tyler Shough from Louisville is also in the conversation, as noted by ESPN's Field Yates, who remarked that "the order they are taken will be decided by a small group of QB-needy teams that see each of them differently." This uncertainty may lead to increased trade activity among teams looking to secure their desired quarterback.
As we approach the 2025 NFL Draft, teams like the Browns, Saints, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers are among those that could consider selecting a quarterback in the first round. Furthermore, teams that choose not to draft a signal-caller early may explore trading back into the first round to secure a quarterback and capitalize on the fifth-year option.
