2025 NFL Draft Outlook: First-Round Projections For Titans, Browns, Giants

We are just weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft kicking off in Green Bay, Wis. The first round will take place on April 24, with the ensuing rounds being held on April 25 and April 26. However, a lot can change before then. 

The Tennessee Titans could trade out of the No. 1 pick and acquire additional assets for the future. The Cleveland Browns could also move out of their early round pick, and a team like the New York Giants could move up a few spots in the draft to ensure they get their franchise quarterback. As a result, there might be some movement at the top of drafts before that April 24 date. 

As it stands now, though, the Titans, Browns, and Giants will hold the top three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. So, who will these three teams target with these early picks in the first round? Let's dive in and find out. 

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Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward

The Titans have a critical decision to make leading up to the NFL Draft. They could stay at No. 1 and take the best overall player on their board, or trade back in the draft and acquire multiple picks. But Tennessee will wind up keeping that pick and select Miami (FL) quarterback Cam Ward first overall. 

Ward is the best quarterback in this year's class after a strong college season in 2024. The Miami product threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 13 games. Those numbers were a big increase from what he put up with Washington State the season before in 2023 (3,736 yards and 25 touchdowns). 

Therefore, Ward will be the first pick for a Titans team that desperately needs a quarterback. Will Levis hasn't shown any promise in his two NFL seasons, and it would be a shock to see Tennessee roll with him for another year, considering this new front office didn't draft him back in 2023. Levis also went 2-10 as the team's starter this past year behind a 12-interception season.

Is Cam Ward the best QB prospect in 2025? (via @MoveTheSticks)

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Now, the Titans could surprise us all and go a different route in the draft. Edge-rusher Abdul Carter is one of the more talented players in this class and has the potential to be a consistent 12-sack player. However, the quarterback position is just so important in the NFL, and Tennessee won't pass on the opportunity to select its franchise guy.  

Cleveland Browns: EDGE Abdul Carter 

The Browns are in a tough spot right now. They are paying quarterback Deshaun Watson $46 million a season, and star pass-rusher Myles Garrett just received a massive extension. So, Cleveland could go many different ways with the second overall pick. If Ward is off the board, though, look for the team to address the defense by selecting Carter with that pick. 

With Garrett now staying following his $40 million per season extension, Carter still makes the most sense for the Browns here. The 21-year-old is coming off a season with the Nittany Lions in which he totaled 68 tackles (24 tackles for loss) and 12 sacks. Imagine a pass-rushing duo of Garrett and Carter for the foreseeable future.

They would cause havoc for opposing offenses and make this Cleveland defense a top pass-rushing unit in the league. Given that the soon-to-be rookie models his game after the superstar edge-rusher, this could be a nice fit for him. 

Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter said he’s 248 pounds and plans to play at that weight. Browns GM Andrew Berry said Tuesday that Carter is big enough to be an every-down DE in their 4-3 scheme.

— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) February 26, 2025

However, this might only happen if Ward is not available. The Miami quarterback could be the Browns' top target in this year's draft, considering he is QB1 of this class, and the team is certainly in need of a quarterback. Watson has thrown for just 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions over the past three years. Either way, Cleveland is in a great spot to select one of the top players in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

New York Giants: QB Shedeur Sanders

The No. 1 priority for the Giants this offseason should be to upgrade their quarterback room. They currently have zero quarterbacks under contract, and that position is the team's biggest need heading into the new league year. With reports of it trying to move up in the draft, it's almost inevitable that the team would select Shedeur Sanders here if he were available. 

Now, there is a chance that both quarterbacks are drafted in the top two, leaving the Giants in an extremely tough spot. However, given the recent reports of Sanders' stock dropping, the Colorado product should be here for New York at third overall. He would solve the team's quarterback problem and has the potential to be a solid NFL quarterback for years to come. 

I am disappointed to hear that a quarterbacks coach from a team drafting in the top 7 referred to Shedeur Sanders as coming off “brash” and “arrogant” in his team interview and making his assessment known to a number of people, per source. I’m purposely not naming the team, as… pic.twitter.com/OjCTciEZIa

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 3, 2025

In his final college campaign at Colorado, Sanders threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 74 percent of his passes. That 74 percent completion percentage in a season ranked sixth all-time in FBS history, trailing notable names like Bo Nix (77.4 percent in 2023) and Joe Burrow (76.3 percent in 2019). 

As a result, there's no way the Giants pass on a quarterback at this point in the draft. Sanders would immediately be the team's QB1, and having an elite wide receiver in Malik Nabers to throw to would help his development. Don't be surprised if we see New York be extremely aggressive and trade with the Titans for the first overall pick to ensure it lands Sanders or Ward in the draft. 

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