Draft Day Drama: Who Will Be the First Pick?

The 2025 NFL draft is still three weeks away, but experts are already buzzing about who will go first. Quarterback Cam Ward from Miami is the favorite, but it's not a sure thing. Some mock drafts have him ahead of edge rusher Abdul Carter and two-way star Travis Hunter. These predictions come from various sources, including USA TODAY, NFL. com, ESPN, and Pro Football Focus, or PFF. They've been tracking draft trends since the end of the 2024 regular season and through free agency. Offensive players seem to be the top picks for teams with early selections, while defensive players are more likely to be chosen later in the first round. This trend has been consistent in previous drafts. Travis Hunter, who can play both cornerback and wide receiver, is expected to go to the Cleveland Browns with the second pick. Abdul Carter, the top defensive player from Penn State, might go to the Tennessee Titans or fall as low as eighth to the Carolina Panthers. The Tennessee Titans are in a tough spot. They need a quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher, offensive tackle, and safety. The mock drafts suggest Ward could be their guy. The Cleveland Browns, on the other hand, might go for Carter or Hunter. They need an edge rusher, quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver, and running back. The New York Giants have a crowded quarterback room, so they might pass on Shedeur Sanders. Their biggest needs are quarterback, offensive tackle, guard, cornerback, and safety.

The New England Patriots are split between strengthening their offensive line or adding Travis Hunter. The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to bolster their defense, with defensive tackle Mason Graham from Michigan being a popular choice. The Las Vegas Raiders are considering adding an offensive weapon, with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan or running back Ashton Jeanty in the mix. The New York Jets signed Justin Fields, but they might still consider former Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Carolina Panthers are likely to pick a defensive player, with Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker being a favorite. The New Orleans Saints are also leaning towards defense, with Michigan cornerback Will Johnson or Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams in the running. The Chicago Bears made moves to improve their offensive line, but they still have needs at offensive guard, tackle, center, edge rusher, and wide receiver. The San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins are also looking to improve their offensive lines. The Indianapolis Colts are eyeing a tight end, with Tyler Warren from Penn State being a top choice. The Atlanta Falcons are likely to go for an edge rusher, with Mike Green from Marshall being a popular pick. The Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and Seattle Seahawks are split between offense and defense. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, and Pittsburgh Steelers are leaning towards offense. The Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings are also split. The Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore Ravens are looking to upgrade their offensive lines. The Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders are split between offense and defense. The Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles are also split.

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