We are less than three weeks away from the NFL Draft, and teams' plans are starting to come into focus. Every day brings new rumors about potential selections. Here is my latest attempt at predicting how the first round will unfold — including a few potential trades.
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1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward QB, University of Miami
Tennessee drafts Ward as its long-term quarterback answer. The 2024 ACC Player of the Year, Ward passed for 39 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions in his only season as a Miami Hurricane. He has a cannon for an arm and a gunslinger mentality.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter CB/WR, Colorado
What Cleveland does at No. 2 will have a ripple effect on the rest of the NFL Draft. Despite their need for a quarterback and the appeal of Abdul Carter, the Browns instead select Travis Hunter — arguably the draft’s top overall talent. Will he line up predominantly on defense, or play both sides of the ball? Any way you cut it, he instantly makes the Browns better. The quarterback question marks will remain, but there will be a new star in Cleveland.
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders QB, Colorado
The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and the quarterback additions continue with Shedeur Sanders. Sanders has immense experience and put up gaudy statistics over the past two seasons at Colorado. He has excellent accuracy as a passer (74.5% completion percentage: the highest in the nation) and the mental makeup to thrive in New York. Malik Nabers' dynasty managers should be excited about this pick.
4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter DE, Penn State
New England would run to the podium to select Carter — a disruptive force of nature on the edge. The Patriots have plenty of needs elsewhere, but Carter can wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks for years to come and is a no-brainer selection at this point in the draft.
5. TRADE! San Francisco 49ers: Armand Membou OL, Missouri
DETAILS: San Francisco sends 11, 43 to Jacksonville for 5
A surprise at No. 5. San Francisco has 11 total picks — tied for the most in the league — and can make big, bold moves to “get their guy.” Membou has the highest potential of any offensive lineman in this draft class and instantly upgrades the 49ers’ offense.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty RB, Boise State
The Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly hires, coupled with the trade for and contract extension of Geno Smith, show that Las Vegas is pushing its chips in with a win-now mentality. Ashton Jeanty fits that approach perfectly. He would turbocharge a run game that is severely lacking and become an instant star. In terms of workload, Jeanty would get all he can handle, including targets, with little to no backfield competition on the roster.
7. TRADE! Arizona Cardinals: Mason Graham DT, Michigan
DETAILS: Arizona sends 16, 47 to NY Jets for 7
Arizona trades up for Mason Graham, one of the draft’s top interior linemen. Graham can become a disruptive presence on the interior for years and fills a significant need. He has a tremendous motor and resume of college accolades, including being a two-time All-American. Graham was a dominant force in Michigan’s upset win over Ohio State.
8. TRADE! Dallas Cowboys: Will Campbell OT, LSU
DETAILS: Dallas sends 12, 76, 2026 5th to Carolina for 8
Dallas has needs on the offensive line, and a trade up for Campbell — a versatile, plug-and-play lineman — would be a tremendous addition. Whether it’s tackle, guard, or even a move to center, Campbell provides Dallas with a boost of talent and versatility in the trenches. He started 38 games for LSU, was a back-to-back All-SEC selection, and a consensus First-Team All-American.
9. New Orleans Saints: Will Johnson CB, Michigan
Jaxson Dart will be strongly considered, as will Tyler Warren, but ultimately, New Orleans will lean toward defense. Johnson was one of Michigan’s best players during their national title-winning season. He has terrific size and ball skills. The Saints traded Marshon Lattimore last season to Washington and now adds their next potential star at cornerback.
10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren TE, Penn State
Ben Johnson misses out on Ashton Jeanty but will gladly take his new Sam LaPorta in Tyler Warren. Warren would instantly help second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and represents a significant upgrade over current tight end Cole Kmet. The DJ Moore/Rome Odunze/Warren trio gives Johnson a promising set of weapons to work with in what could be one of the league’s most improved offenses.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tetairoa McMillan WR, Arizona
Jacksonville has a glaring need for a secondary pass catcher opposite burgeoning star Brian Thomas Jr. and finds a great one in McMillan, despite a trade down with the 49ers. The BTJ/McMillan combination would give new head coach Liam Coen two outside weapons with size. McMillan would also free up BTJ to operate more out of the slot — something Coen has indicated he wants to do.
12. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker Edge, Georgia
Carolina had the fourth fewest sacks last season, with a dismal 32. They have a massive need for pass rushers and athleticism on the EDGE. They would have considered Walker with the 8th overall pick before trading down, and would probably run to the podium for him here.
13. TRADE! Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland TE, Michigan
DETAILS: LA sends 22, 86 to Miami for 13
Loveland is very close to Warren as a prospect, which will be reflected in his draft capital. With this trade, he reunites with his college head coach, Jim Harbaugh. Loveland would have a chance to become the team’s number two target early in his career. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has a history of tight end success and oversaw the emergence of Mark Andrews in Baltimore. This would be a dream landing spot for fantasy managers.
14. TRADE! Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks OL, Texas
DETAILS: Seattle sends 18,137 to Indianapolis for 14
Seattle signed quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Cooper Kupp, and continues its offensive makeover with a trade up for Banks. He can play tackle or guard. Banks was among the nation’s top players last year, winning the Outland and Lombardi trophies and earning first-team All-American honors.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jahdae Barron CB, Texas
Atlanta will consider several pass rushers, but Barron is too talented a corner to pass up in this draft range. He is smaller than Johnson but is extremely versatile. He can defend the slot or the outside and is strong against the run for his size. Barron had five interceptions this season.
16. New York Jets: Jaxson Dart QB, Ole Miss
The Jets signed Justin Fields this offseason and will now double down with Dart, following a trade down that netted them some extra capital. New York has flexibility for his development and can keep him on the bench with Fields as the starter until he is ready. Fields' contract could also become a one-year deal, with Dart taking over in 2026. The trade down makes this pick a lower-risk, high-reward bet.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mykel Williams Edge, Georgia
The Bengals need interior linemen on both sides of the ball, but instead will go with Williams. He can become a great complement to Trey Hendrickson in the pass rush — presuming the Bengals work out their issues with the star. Williams will need some development, but he is one of the better "tools" guys in this draft class. He could go as high as the top 10.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Booker G, Alabama
The Colts lost long-time starters and interior line standouts Ryan Kelly and Will Fries this offseason, both to the Minnesota Vikings. Booker may not be as exciting as some of the names rumored for the Colts in this NFL Draft, but he is one of the best fits after their trade down. At just 20 years old, with great size and a massive wingspan, Booker has the tools to develop into a Pro Bowl-level player early in his career.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell LB, Alabama
Campbell is the draft’s top linebacker and has the potential to become Tampa Bay’s next star at the position. He had an outstanding performance at the NFL Combine, running a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at 235 pounds. Campbell recorded 119 tackles this season for the Crimson Tide and will instantly improve the Bucs' run defense while also providing the ability to get to the quarterback.
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton RB, North Carolina
Hampton has been rising up draft boards all off-season and could be selected even higher than this. But if he’s still on the board at 20, it’s hard to see Denver passing on him. A mega-producer at UNC, Hampton posted back-to-back 1,500-yard rushing seasons and set the single-season UNC record for yards from scrimmage. He then put on a show at the NFL Combine, running a 4.46 40-yard dash at 221 pounds. If Hampton lands in Denver, he’ll climb in ADP across all formats.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenneth Grant DT, Michigan
The Aaron Rodgers saga continues in Pittsburgh. The Steelers will be in the mix for Jaxson Dart and are likely exploring trade-up possibilities, but the DK Metcalf trade has left them without a second-round pick and less draft capital to work with. Grant is a massive presence on the interior and consistently demands double teams. He formed the nation’s top tandem with Graham this season at Michigan.
22. Miami Dolphins: Josh Simmons OT, Ohio State
Simmons was in the conversation for the draft’s top offensive lineman before a season-ending knee injury in October. The Dolphins will gladly take him at this point in the draft, following a trade back. Simmons can play both tackle spots and has experience at guard. He stands out as a run blocker, and down the line, this pick could be remembered as one of the draft’s best values.
23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden WR, Texas
Matthew Golden lit up the NFL Combine, showcasing elite speed with a 4.29-second 40-yard dash. He’s in the mix to be the first wide receiver selected, and Green Bay would be thrilled if he fell to them at this spot. The Packers need a true WR1 to emerge, and Golden would provide plenty of answers with his explosive big-play ability and polished route-running skills.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks S, Georgia
Malaki Starks was a do-it-all, two-time All-American at Georgia. With Harrison Smith entering his 14th season as a pro, Starks could serve as Minnesota’s next standout at the position. He also has the versatility to play nickel cornerback. The Vikings have only four picks in the draft and could consider trading out of this spot.
25. Houston: Emeka Egbuka WR, Ohio State
Houston acquired Christian Kirk for a seventh-round pick, but that won’t preclude them from drafting the right fit at wide receiver. Egbuka would reunite with his former Ohio State teammate, C.J. Stroud, and could thrive in a power slot role, serving as a great complement to outside alpha Nico Collins. The locker room narrative would be strong here. Fantasy-wise, this would be a great landing spot for Egbuka.
26. TRADE! New England: Grey Zabel OL, North Dakota State
DETAILS: New England sends 38, 106 to LA Rams for 26
New England needs to add multiple offensive linemen in this draft, and they would get a great start by trading up for Zabel. A Senior Bowl standout, Zabel won two national titles at North Dakota State and has experience at both offensive tackle positions, as well as guard. The Patriots allowed the fifth-most sacks in the NFL last season — a number that will need to improve quickly for Drake Maye to orchestrate a big turnaround in year two.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green Edge, Marshall
Baltimore finished second in the NFL with 52 sacks last season. The addition of Green could push that number up even higher. Green led the nation in sacks last season at Marshall with 17 and performed well at the Senior Bowl. He is a high-level pass rusher with speed.
28. Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku Edge, Boston College
Detroit could go in multiple directions with this pick, but one glaring need for them is pass rushers to complement Aidan Hutchinson. Last season, when Hutchinson was lost for the season with a broken tibula/fibula, their entire defense regressed. Ezeiruaku was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and finished with 16.5 sacks, tying him for first in program history.
29. Washington Commanders: TreVeyon Henderson RB, Ohio State
Henderson landing in Washington would be a slam dunk for fantasy managers. Washington has the flexibility to swing for the fences with this pick. The Commanders addressed needs at wide receiver (Deebo Samuel), defensive tackle (Javon Kinlaw), and offensive tackle (Laremy Tunsil) this offseason, allowing them to take the best player available here. Henderson is an explosive runner who can also help Washington improve its yards after the catch as a receiver. He represents a clear talent upgrade over their current starter, Brian Robinson. Henderson would thrive alongside Jayden Daniels and carry RB1 potential in this offense.
30. Buffalo Bills: Shemar Stewart Edge, Texas A&M
Buffalo is a wild card here. The Bills have 10 total picks, including two second-rounders, and can afford to swing for the fences with a pick like this. Stewart is a developmental prospect but has an incredible combination of size and athleticism that NFL teams crave. He lit up the NFL Combine with a blazing 4.59-second 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical leap.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Walter Nolen DT, Ole Miss
Kansas City could target an offensive lineman, but ultimately, Nolen is too good a value to pass up this late in the first round. He’s a bit on the lighter side for a defensive tackle, but has a high-end motor and the potential to become a force as a pass rusher.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: James Pearce Edge, Tennessee
The rich get richer. Despite not blitzing once, Philadelphia sacked Patrick Mahomes six times in its Super Bowl win. The Eagles lost Josh Sweat in free agency, and Pearce would be an ideal replacement. He recorded 19.5 sacks at Tennessee and is an elite athlete, running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
