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The 2024 NFL regular season has come to a close, and the first 18 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft order are now etched in stone! We ended up with a few surprise teams in the top two after the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants had the top spots locked down for a while. The New England Patriots won in Week 18 and moved from No. 1 down to No. 4 in the draft order.
The win likely cost the Patriots a possible trade-down from No. 1 being that they already have Drake Maye in the fold at quarterback. While most of us don't love tanking and want to see our teams do well on Sundays, it's understandable why several Patriots fans were upset with the win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 18.
As always, these selections aren't based on what I would do personally but on team needs, intel from local beat reporters, GM/front office tendencies, positional value under the salary cap, and the overall talent of the class. This group doesn't have the same offensive star power that 2024 did, but there are plenty of good players available. Now, let's dive in, shall we?
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Top 10 Selections of the 2025 NFL Draft
1. Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward - QB, Miami
Quarterback-needy teams at the top of the draft hardly ever move back. Sure, gathering a bunch of extra picks to move down sounds good in theory, but unless you can strike gold as the 49ers did with a later-drafted guy like Brock Purdy, you're going to have to move up in the draft to get a guy at some point in the following years and give it all back anyway.
The Patriots trading back from No. 1 would have made a lot of sense had they been picking here, and this quarterback class reminds me of 2016. Despite many of the scouts having questions about the quarterbacks, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz ended up going No. 1 and No. 2 in the draft simply due to supply and demand.
Cam Ward's odds to be 1st Pick in the NFL Draft at @BetMGM
+450: Open
-135: Now 📈
53% of money is on @CanesFootball star to be 1st Pick pic.twitter.com/a1ZmDJCcFg
— John Ewing (@johnewing) January 8, 2025
Ward has a higher set of physical tools than Shedeur Sanders does: he's bigger, faster, and has a better arm. The Will Levis experiment went south in a hurry in 2024, and the Titans desperately need a reset here. They also need their ownership group to understand the importance of synergy, with a general manager, head coach, and quarterback all on the same page. Best of luck, Cam.
2. Cleveland Browns
Travis Hunter - WR/CB, Colorado
The Browns are probably moving on from Deshaun Watson after 2025, but just how long do the front office and head coach have to turn things around? Cleveland is more likely to be in the veteran market with a player like Kirk Cousins.
A trade-back is possible, but Hunter is viewed by many as the best prospect in the draft. Is he better as a cornerback or as a wide receiver? It would be a fool's errand for teams to play him both ways as a rookie in the NFL, but the Browns need all the help they can get, especially on offense. Hunter would give them the type of playmaker the Browns haven't had since the days of Josh Gordon.
3. New York Giants
Shedeur Sanders, QB - Colorado
Head coach Brian Daboll and General Manager Joe Schoen were given another year by ownership, likely due to the fact that they were stuck with Daniel Jones for three seasons and never got to pick their own quarterback. The bad news? Pairing a rookie quarterback up with a head coach and GM on the hot seat never seems to end well.
This might end up being too high for Sanders when it's all said and done, but I'm told he would prefer a market like New York or Las Vegas to start his NFL career. Sanders is slightly undersized and doesn't have the biggest arm. He's a smart, instinctive quarterback who knows where to go with the ball, but I have questions about his physical limitations being exposed at the next level.
4. New England Patriots
Tetairoa McMillan, WR - Arizona
This pick is either going to be an offensive tackle or a wide receiver. Could the Patriots convince a player like Tee Higgins to make the leap in Foxboro to play with Drake Maye? Brandon Aiyuk and Calvin Ridley both shot the Patriots down last offseason, so you have to wonder.
Tetairoa McMillan: 6-foot-5, 210-pound, powerful, smooth, strong-handed WR (top 10 player in the class IMO)
Also Tetairoa McMillan: has an absolute 🚀 pic.twitter.com/TdTXRaQp4i
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 7, 2025
McMillan is a big-bodied, X-type of receiver who can make plays downfield and pairs nicely with Maye's ability to drive the ball. Tet finished the 2024 season with 84 receptions for 1,316 yards and eight touchdowns. The Patriots need some playmakers on offense badly.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Graham - DT, Michigan
No one in Jacksonville imagined they'd end up picking this high. Head coach Doug Pederson was fired after another disappointing season, but GM Trent Baalke was surprisingly retained. We know that Baalke likes to draft his guys in the trenches, and with the Jaguars offense mostly set, the team takes a swing at solving their defensive woes here.
A front four of Joshua Hines-Allen, Trayvon Walker, Arik Armstead, and Graham would be terrorizing for the rest of the AFC South.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Will Johnson - CB, Michigan
Arguably the best cornerback in the draft, the Raiders don't pass him up in a division with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix. Las Vegas badly needs a quarterback of the future, and I'm told owner Mark Davis badly wants one, but unless Penn State's Drew Allar changes his mind and declares for the draft, I just don't see it happening. You can't try to force it at quarterback if it's not there.
7. New York Jets
Will Campbell - OT, LSU
A complete reset is in order in New York. After the failed Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Nathaniel Hackett, and whoever else experiment, the Jets will likely tear it down and start over again. The team still has some nice pieces in place with RB Breece Hall, WR Garrett Wilson, DT Quinnen Williams, and CB Sauce Gardner, but this organization needs to take a cold, hard look in the mirror this offseason.
The Jets still need help along the offensive line, and Campbell, a three-year starter at LSU, will help boost their offensive front. Some scouts think he might be better suited as a guard and could struggle against some of the other elite edge rushers in the NFL, but Campbell will be a starter for years to come in one of the five offensive line spots regardless.
8. Carolina Panthers
Abdul Carter - Edge, Penn State
The Panthers' defense surrendered the most points in NFL history in 2024, giving up 543 points over the course of the season, good for an average of over 30 points per game. Yikes! The good news for Panthers fans, though, is that quarterback Bryce Young seems to have found some of his swagger in the second half of the season, proving that he can play in the NFL, and there's reason for optimism.
Carter is considered by many to be the top edge rusher in the class and could end up higher than this when it's all said and done.
He's been a huge part of Penn State's success this season, and heading into their CFB semifinal matchup with Notre Dame, Carter has 58 total pressures and 12 sacks on the season. His first step off the edge is elite. After trading away Brian Burns Jr., the Panthers need all the help on defense they can muster.
9. New Orleans Saints
Nic Scourton, Edge - Texas A&M
This one is tough. The Saints have a variety of holes and not exactly the most salary cap space to work with. At roughly 6-foot-4 and 280 lbs, Scourton has a lot of his moves in his bag and greatly helps a defense that struggled to get after the quarterback this year. Scourton would line up nicely alongside defensive tackle Brian Bresee, who looks like a future All-Pro.
10. Chicago Bears
Kelvin Banks Jr. - OT, Texas
Banks, like Campbell above, is considered by some scouts to be better as a guard, but given the Bears' offensive line woes, I don't think any of that matters. Keeping quarterback Caleb Williams upright and giving him time in the pocket is the biggest problem for Chicago to solve this offseason. Williams was sacked 68 times as a rookie, and we know that's not even remotely close to being sustainable at this level.
Some of the sacks were on him, as he'd hold onto the ball too long or try too hard to make a play. Chicago has a solid defense in place, but helping out Caleb as much as possible in 2025 is their way out of this mess.
Picks No. 11-21: Are There Other Quarterbacks off the Board?
11. San Francisco 49ers
James Pearce Jr, Edge - Tennessee
Some of it was due to injuries, but the 49ers defense completely fell apart in 2024. While their roster is still one of the best at full strength, they need someone opposite of Nick Bosa who can get after the opposing quarterback.
I expected Pearce to dominate more in the CFB Playoffs, but Tennessee fell behind Ohio State early in the opening round, and Pearce was never put in any situations to get after the quarterback. Nonetheless, he's a player who should greatly improve his stock at the NFL Combine. Pearce is a freak!
12. Dallas Cowboys
Luther Burden III, WR - Missouri
Most of the mocks out there have the Cowboys taking a certain running back, but they've got a lot of other needs across the roster right now. Burden would be a nice compliment to CeeDee Lamb, and he'll come a lot cheaper than what they'd have to spend on a WR2 in free agency.
Teams looking for a run-after-catch threat who can create explosives will be very intrigued by Missouri WR Luther Burden III.
His dense build offers a pretty unique combination of explosiveness, agility and contact balance. (49 forced missed tackles the past two seasons) pic.twitter.com/mtidt8DfUG
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) January 8, 2025
Burden had a little bit of a down year in 2024, but he's an explosive playmaker with the speed and skills to make an immediate impact for Dallas.
13. Miami Dolphins
Walter Nolen, DT - Ole Miss
After a disappointing 2024 season, GM Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel are coming back for another run.
The Dolphins could go a number of paths here, but Miami badly needs to get tougher in the trenches and also needs a replacement for Christian Wilkins, who was signed by the Raiders last offseason to a record-setting contract. Nolen is a nasty interior defensive lineman who had 35 total pressures and six sacks on the season. He can play all three downs.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Warren, TE - Penn State
GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are back for another season, and it's leading many to question what will happen with quarterback Anthony Richardson. A-Rich has shown flashes at times, but accuracy remains his biggest problem.
So, why not get him a tight end with playmaking ability who is a devastating run blocker while also being a big target? The Colts haven't had a good tight end in what seems like forever.
Couple of drops for Tyler Warren tonight, but he makes up for it here. Absolute unit who runs well at 6-foot-6 and nearly 260 lbs. Sheesh 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XxfOiOlezu
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) January 1, 2025
15. Atlanta Falcons
Jalon Walker, LB - Georgia
The Kirk Cousins disaster will hang over the Falcons front office for a while, but the good news is that at least quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is waiting in the wings. Atlanta has a lot of solid players, but they need to improve their pass rush in the worst way. Walker is a versatile player who can rush the passer and also play linebacker. He had 34 total pressures and seven sacks in 2024.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Shemar Stewart, Edge - Texas A&M
The Cardinals offense was pretty solid for the most part in 2024. They still need help along the offensive line, but the defense just feels like it's mostly devoid of playmakers, and GM Monti Ossenfort needs to shore up that side of the ball in the worst way. Stewart can line up anywhere along the defensive line and should play right away.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Malaki Starks, Safety - Georgia
Cincinnati was one of the biggest disappointments of the season, finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs. Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase were incredible to watch all year long, but the team was held back by their defense, which saw defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo dismissed.
One of the best players in this class, Starks is more than just a safety. He frequently lined up in the slot, played in the box, and covered the deep middle for Georgia. He's versatile, similar to Kyle Hamilton and Brian Branch. The Bengals need all the help on defense they can get, and it's hard to imagine a player of Starks' caliber falling much further than this, regardless of his position.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Josh Simmons, OT - Ohio State
We know that head coach Mike Macdonald wants to continue building the Seahawk's defense in his image, but Seattle's offensive line was a pure abomination in 2024. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was dismissed after one season, but it still feels like this team has some solid pieces in place despite missing the playoffs at 10-7.
Simmons was injured halfway through the Buckeyes 2024 season and tore his ACL, so we haven't gotten to see him in the CFB Playoffs. Could the knee be an issue for some teams this high? Sure. Simmons could likely slide in at guard and fill a huge need before eventually taking over one of the tackle spots.
19. Houston Texans
Tyler Booker, OG - Alabama
The Texans had a disappointing 2024 season despite making the playoffs. Their offense never really took the next step, and the wide receiver core dealt with injuries throughout the season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times, second-worst only to Caleb Williams. Ouch.
No. 19 overall could be a little high for Booker, but it was painful trying to watch Houston's offensive line in 2024 as they struggled to pick up any kind of stunt or blitz all year. Protecting Stroud and getting their offense back on track should be priority No. 1 for the Texans.
20. Denver Broncos
Ashton Jeanty, RB - Boise State
This is probably the most ideal fit for Jeanty of any team in the draft. We already know he looks good as a Bronco wearing orange, white, and blue, and we know that head coach Sean Payton features his running backs in the passing game more than any other coach.
Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime are nice ancillary pieces, but Jeanty gives the Broncos offense the type of punch it needs to get to the next level.
Bronco 4L🐴💙 #deuce pic.twitter.com/gtrKJUcDOd
— Deuce 2️⃣ (@AshtonJeanty2) January 7, 2025
Many thought that Jeanty should have won the Heisman Trophy over Travis Hunter, and it's easy to understand why. He rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns this past season. Wow! Jeanty is also a dynamic pass catcher who can play all three downs. He might end up going higher than this, but he's not as explosive of a back as Jahmyr Gibbs, who went No. 12 overall in 2023.
Picks No. 21-32: Where Will the Other Pass Catchers Go?
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mykel Williams, Edge - Georgia
The Bucs are always a hard team to pin down every year when it comes to mock drafts. GM Jason Licht has continued to do a phenomenal job, and the team has transitioned well from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield, making the playoffs each of the last two years.
Williams is an athletic freak who should blow up at the NFL Combine. He was injured for a part of the season and didn't have gaudy stats (a lot of Georgia defensive linemen don't due to rotations and head coach Kirby Smart's scheme), but the high-end potential and traits are there. Tampa feels like the kind of team that could unlock Williams' budding talent and turn him into a star.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
Emeka Egbuka, WR - Ohio State
Pittsburgh badly needs another wide receiver to take some pressure off of George Pickens, who primarily works as a downfield threat on the outside. Egbuka will be a solid pro and feels like the ideal No. 2 receiver in a good offense at the next level. He can work all of the underneath routes, go over the middle, and be a vertical pass catcher when needed. This is an ideal fit.
THE BUCKEYES ARE ROLLING AT THE ROSE BOWL! 🔥
(🎥: @ESPNCFB) pic.twitter.com/qwK7jGU2aF
— theScore (@theScore) January 1, 2025
23. Los Angeles Rams
Wyatt Milum, OT - West Virginia
The Rams will eventually need to find a successor for quarterback Matthew Stafford, but helping to keep him upright is also important. Los Angeles' offense badly needs some more speed, and I wouldn't be surprised if they made a play for a wide receiver or tight end with this pick, but Milum is a solid player who had over 90.0 PFF grades as a run blocker and pass protector at West Virginia.
24. Green Bay Packers
Benjamin Morrison, CB - Notre Dame
Morrison would probably be higher had he not suffered a scary season-ending hip injury, but he's a relentless type of corner who isn't afraid to make a play. Cornerback Jaire Alexander has seen the medical tent more than he has the field over the last few seasons, and GM Brian Gutekunst is happy to land Morrison here.
25. Los Angeles Chargers
Colston Loveland, TE - Michigan
You're going to see this one a lot. A former Michigan player paired up with his former college head coach. It makes a lot of sense. While the Chargers have Ladd McConkey and are still trying to get something out of Quentin Johnston, they didn't get much from their tight ends in 2024. Loveland still needs to improve his blocking, but he's dangerous down the seam.
6’5, 250lbs TE’s are not usually able to create man separation like this…
Colston Loveland can. pic.twitter.com/tjzPgxRs9h
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) January 5, 2025
26. Washington Commanders
Cameron Williams, OT - Texas
Washington was one of the big surprises of the 2024 season, and quarterback Jayden Daniels has all but locked up Offensive Rookie of the Year. Helping to protect his blind side and improving their offensive line will be one of the Commanders' biggest priorities this offseason. They could also go edge for head coach Dan Quinn's defense or another wide receiver here.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Aireontae Ersery, OT - Minnesota
The Ravens always seem to be able to sit back on draft night and let someone fall to them who shouldn't have. Baltimore's offensive line looked like it would be a huge problem early in the season, but the unit gelled and became an asset for one of the league's best offenses. You can never have enough depth, though.
28. Minnesota Vikings
Shavon Revel, CB - East Carolina
Like Morrison, Revel would probably be higher on this list had he not suffered a season-ending ACL tear earlier in the year. He's a complete physical specimen (roughly 6-foot-2 and 200 lbs.) with 4.3 speed to go alongside it. Minnesota could lose a cornerback or two to free agency this offseason, and Revel would be a nice addition for a team picking this late in the first round.
29. Buffalo Bills
Landon Jackson, Edge - Arkansas
The Bills are another team that could go a variety of ways in the draft, but after taking Dalton Kincaid and Keon Coleman with their first selection in the last two drafts, GM Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott get back to doing what they do best, building elite defenses.
Pass rusher Von Miller is probably gone after this year (unless he restructures), and we know you can never have enough good edge rushers in this league.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Princely Umanmielen, Edge - Ole Miss
GM Howie Roseman loves his assembly line of edge rushers and offensive linemen, and after fixing the Eagles' secondary last offseason in the draft, he will likely go back to his roots here. Edge rusher Brandon Graham is retiring after the season, and Josh Sweat is also a free agent. Umanmielen finished the 2024 season with 56 total pressures and 11 sacks. Sheesh.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Trey Amos, CB - Ole Miss
A pair of Ole Miss rebels selected back-to-back, making three of head coach Lane Kiffin's players going in Round 1. Amos saw his share of the transfer portal during his college career, going from UL Lafayette to Alabama to Ole Miss. However, the 2024 season was his best, finishing with an 84.8 PFF coverage grade and three interceptions. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo loves his cornerbacks.
32. Detroit Lions
Jack Sawyer, Edge - Ohio State
The Lions' defense hasn't been as dominant with edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson sidelined with a broken femur, and we know that GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell love tough, gritty, hard-nosed players on their roster. Sawyer is certainly that, as he has 54 total pressures and nine sacks on the season as Ohio State is still in the College Football Playoff.
Dan Campbell, seeing Sawyer at practice every day will feel like looking in the mirror.
While the fantasy football season may be over, stay tuned here at RotoBaller, as we will have plenty of dynasty and NFL Drafty content heading your way. Don't forget to follow me on X for everything you need this offseason, and as always, thanks for reading!
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