The Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFL have seen some dust settle following the first week of free agency, where players have found new homes all over the league.
A few big-name quarterbacks have switched teams and some teams used this opportunity to improve other areas of their team. There are still a few big names left, but no teams are moving the needle much with what is left. Most of the NFL clubs will now turn to the 2025 NFL draft for help.
Did the moves made in free agency impact what teams may consider in the draft? The answer to that is absolutely. Here’s our updated first-round projections following the first wave of free agency (compared to before free agency started).
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Not much has changed on this front. The Tennessee Titans take Cam Ward to be their quarterback of the future.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Cleveland Browns are locked into a few tough situations so they might as well take the best football player in the draft with Abdul Carter.
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The New York Giants moved on from Daniel Jones last year. Now, they will try again with Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders’ Colorado teammate Travis Hunter will be selected right after him by the New England Patriots. Is it the Patriot way to play on both offense and defense?
The Jacksonville Jaguars could be getting a top-flight defensive lineman when they take Mason Graham.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Las Vegas Raiders may see a bit of the Tom Brady influence going forward. Having a good offensive line would surely reflect that, and selecting Armand Membou could work.
7. New York Jets: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The New York Jets love making terrible decisions. Drafting a running back seventh overall may work out in the end, but it doesn’t seem like a good idea in today’s NFL. Here, they are the team that lands Ashton Jeanty.
The Carolina Panthers add a tight end in Tyler Warren at eighth overall. Bryce Young could take another step with a highly talented player like Warren coming to town.
The New Orleans Saints need a little bit of everything. Here, they get a good wide receiver in Tetairoa McMillan at ninth overall.
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
The Chicago Bears have added a few good offensive linemen via trades and free agency so far this year. However, they should continue to build, and Will Campbell is a great option.
The San Francisco 49ers want to make the 2024 season an exception more than a rule. Adding a good offensive lineman like Kelvin Banks Jr. may be one thing that helps them do that.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Dallas Cowboys need help everywhere. Will Johnson could help their secondary improve right away.
13. Miami Dolphins: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Miami Dolphins are in an interesting spot. If their quarterback is healthy, they can be a good team. Their defense could use some help, and Nick Emmanwori would improve their secondary.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
If Anthony Richardson is the guy, he’ll need to prove it this year. An edge rusher like Jalon Walker would help the Indianapolis Colts defense make it easier.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Atlanta Falcons select an edge rusher, as well, landing Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals select Jihaad Campbell at 16th overall. With Kyler Murray healthy, they should be trying to put a really good team around him.
The Cincinnati Bengals have been doing the entire NFL a disservice. They don’t do enough to take advantage of having a top-four quarterback. Drafting an offensive lineman like Josh Simmons may help keep Joe Burrow on his feet.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Seattle Seahawks are getting an extreme makeover so far this offseason. An edge rusher like Mykel Williams would go a long way.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Will another team be bold enough to take a running back in the first round? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly have more trust than the New York Jets, so seeing them take Omarion Hampton won’t be as tragic.
20. Denver Broncos: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The Denver Broncos select Mike Green to be that final straw that pushes them into the playoffs with a chance to do some damage.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
The Pittsburgh Steelers need a spark to be more than that team that barely goes over .500 just to lose in the first round. A defensive lineman like Kenneth Grant could help with that.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Los Angeles Chargers need help in a lot of areas and Jim Harbaugh knows how to fill those holes. Jahdae Barron could help them take another big step this year after a massive performance in 2024.
23. Green Bay Packers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Jordan Love needs to prove that he is a top-10 quarterback to be worthy of his contract and a new tight end like Colston Loveland may do that. Why not have Love and Loveland?
24. Minnesota Vikings: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
The Minnesota Vikings are a well-oiled Machine under Kevin O’Connell. There is a chance that they add a veteran quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson but they could go with J.J. McCarthy, who’s coming off an injury. Regardless, adding Tyler Booker to protect whoever’s under center would go a long way.
25. Houston Texans: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
The Houston Texans need to make sure that C.J. Stroud has a wall in front of him, especially after trading Laremy Tunsil. They find his replacement in Josh Conerly.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Gordon, WR, Texas
The Rams released Cooper Kupp, and they turn to the draft to find his replacement in Matthew Gordon.
The Baltimore Ravens will turn whoever they draft on defense into a star. They need help in their secondary, and Malaki Starks could be the guy.
28. Detroit Lions: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
The Detroit Lions have had recent success drafting and developing offensive linemen. With Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, and Taylor Decker there leading the way, why not add another in Grey Zabel so he can learn from the best?
29. Washington Commanders: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
The Washington Commanders shocked the world in 2024. Now, they will have a target on their back heading into 2025. Drafting Walter Nolen would strengthen their defensive line.
30. Buffalo Bills: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
The Buffalo Bills could use another pass rusher, so James Pearce Jr. could help them in that area at 30th overall.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Aireontae Ersey, OT, Minnesota
The Kansas City Chiefs don’t have the most stable offensive line situation right now, so selecting Aireontae Ersey might help settle that down. What lineman wouldn’t want to protect Patrick Mahomes?
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
There are a lot of ways to attack the draft if you’re the defending Super Bowl champions. The Philadelphia Eagles will try to boost up their pass rush by selecting Derrick Harmon.
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