Nobody is aware of what’s going to occur getting into an NFL draft, even when we prefer to faux that we do.
Positive, there’s a stage of certainty relating to the headlining prospects. However even with them, it may be tough to pinpoint the place their NFL properties can be. Trades occur on a regular basis, even on the prime of the order, which has a trickle-down impact on the draft.
This 12 months, most league observers have penciled in Miami quarterback Cam Ward to the Titans at No. 1. However there’s nonetheless time for Tennessee to obtain a commerce bundle for that prime total choice that it feels it may well’t refuse.
That brings us to the premise of this piece.
Listed here are 5 daring predictions for the primary spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, which begins subsequent Thursday.
The Steelers, who maintain the twenty first choose, make a take care of the Carolina Panthers for the No. 8 choose, assuring that they get forward of a Saints group that may very well be focusing on a quarterback at No. 9.
The reasoning? Even when Pittsburgh indicators Aaron Rodgers, the franchise nonetheless wants a passer of the longer term. In fact, buying and selling up 13 spots could be very costly for the Steelers and certain require them to surrender future picks, as they already swapped their second-round choice this 12 months within the DK Metcalf commerce. However they’re slated to have a bevy of draft capital in 2026, making that hit a bit extra palatable. Pittsburgh is scheduled to obtain compensatory picks subsequent 12 months for dropping quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields and offensive linemen Dan Moore Jr. and James Daniels in free company.
Sanders met with the Steelers final week.
Would the Steelers be higher off with Shedeur Sanders or Aaron Rodgers?
4 QBs can be drafted in Spherical 1
Even in what’s believed to be a weak quarterback class, the significance of the place cannot be overstated. If something, the paucity of passers might compel extra “reaching” for QBs, as early as the primary spherical.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, for example, extra intently resembles a Day 2 prospect due to his inconsistencies as a passer. However his elite athleticism, together with 4.40-second 40-yard sprint velocity, as a dual-threat quarterback offers him the sort of upside that may very well be onerous for NFL franchises to move up as a developmental prospect. Milroe was invited to and can attend the draft in Inexperienced Bay, which speaks to how excessive he may very well be chosen.
Like Milroe, don’t sleep on the potential of Louisville’s Tyler Shough or Ole Miss‘ Jaxson Dart going within the prime 32 picks, becoming a member of expectant first-round passers Ward and Sanders.
Most mock drafts have Jeanty slated to go as excessive as No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders, however don’t rule out the Jaguars for the previous Boise State star the choose earlier than.
Build up Jacksonville’s run sport to assist Trevor Lawrence figures to be a key precedence beneath new coach Liam Coen. The Buccaneers’ run sport jumped from thirty second to fourth place final season with Coen as offensive coordinator.
Additionally remember that Jags starter Travis Etienne, who struggled final season and was not drafted by the present regime, is getting into a contract 12 months.
Joel Klatt breaks down what makes Ashton Jeanty the highest RB within the draft
RELATED: Ashton Jeanty reveals his NFL goal: ‘To be the best that’s ever played the game’
If not for a non-contact knee damage that held him to only six video games final season, there’s an excellent probability that Simmons would’ve been seen because the consensus No. 1 offensive deal with within the draft. So long as his medicals try, a group (or groups) might nonetheless view him in that mild — and bounce on the probability to take him over the likes of LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou.
The Patriots (No. 4 choose), Jaguars (No. 5), Jets (No. 7), and Bears (No. 10) are all groups within the prime 10 that might goal an offensive lineman with their first-round choice.
4 RBs can be drafted within the first spherical
Jeanty is a lock to go within the first spherical. Most league observers anticipate North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton to hitch him. Why can’t we see a mini-run on tailbacks within the first spherical? This previous NFL season confirmed a renewed appreciation for the place, and there are a number of operating backs on this 12 months’s draft class who mission to be early starters. Different prime RB choices embody Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and Iowa‘s Kaleb Johnson.
RELATED: NFL Draft RB matchmaker: Best team fits for Ashton Jeanty, Skattebo, top 10 backs
One can argue that the depth on the place within the draft will make groups extra snug ready till Day 2 (or 3) to get a operating again. The flip aspect is that, due to that depth, golf equipment may very well be extra compelled to zero in on those they really feel match their scheme the most effective.
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a 12 months and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You may observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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