The 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, generates significant anticipation as teams prepare to strengthen their rosters with top collegiate talent. With the draft order set, franchises are strategizing to make the best selections to shape their futures. The Tennesee Titans hold the first overall pick, followed by the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants. Let’s take a look at their needs in this year’s draft:
Tennessee Titans: Quarterback, Edge Rusher, Wide Receiver, Linebacker, and Safety
Cleveland Browns: Quarterback, Cornerback, Wide Receiver, Defensive Tackle, and Safety
New York Giants: Quarterback, Cornerback, Wide Receiver, and Offensive Tackle
This year’s draft is highly unpredictable because of the level of college talent and the various needs that the teams have that are holding high draft picks. The following players are the top 3 prospects that are likely being discussed by teams like the Titans, Browns, and Giants at this point:
- Cam Ward, Quarterback (Miami): Arguably the top quarterback in this draft, Cam Ward burst onto the scene this past season after transferring from Washington State to Miami. His arm strength and leadership in the locker room seemingly make him the most NFL-ready player in the draft.
- Abdul Carter, Edge Rusher (Penn State): A defensive powerhouse, Abdul Carter was eighth in Division I football with 12.0 sacks in only his junior year. His incredible speed and athleticism make him an undeniable future pass-rushing threat for the team lucky enough to draft him.
- Travis Hunter, Wide Receiver / Cornerback (Colorado Boulder): The Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter, is easily the best wide receiver in this draft class and maybe even the best cornerback prospect in this year’s draft as well. His ability to play on both sides of the field interests teams like the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, who have holes to fill on their rosters in terms of cornerbacks and wide receivers.
Teams like the Jets (at pick #7) and Saints (at pick #9) have also been rumored to be talking to the Titans, Browns, and Giants about possibly trading into one of the top 3 picks in the draft as they also have long-term needs at the quarterback position. Two specific teams in very interesting positions in this year’s draft are the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cleveland Browns:
- Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders have needs all across the board, making them unique and completely unpredictable in this year’s draft. Most mock drafts have the Raiders selecting Heisman Trophy runner-up Aston Jeanty, who nearly broke Barry Sanders’s college record for most rushing yards in a season, at the 6th pick overall. However, with their recent signing of Geno Smith, an aging and average quarterback, and the possibility of Colorado Boulder quarterback Shaduer Sanders dropping out of the top 3 picks, it’s difficult to determine whether the Raiders will look into the future with Sanders or fix their running back problem with Jeanty instead.
- Cleveland Browns: The Browns greatly underperformed this year, mainly because of Nick Chubb’s inability to recover quickly from injury and the terrible performance of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Now, with the loss of backup Jameis Winston (who recently signed with the Giants) and another significant injury to Deshaun Watson, the Browns are pinned into a position where they may have to draft a quarterback if they cannot trade for a viable option at the position. The Browns also need an edge rusher, a cornerback, and a wide receiver, which puts both Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter in the running for being selected second overall in this year’s draft. My guess is that the Browns will either stick with Watson and choose a defensive player or move on from Watson and select either Shaduer Sanders or Cam Ward if the Titans pass on him at #1.
This year’s draft has an incredible amount of talent and will easily be one of the most unpredictable drafts the NFL has ever had as well. The difficult decisions and selections made by each team will determine and shape the future of the league for years to come.
