NFL free agency does not begin until next week (March 10), but activity swelled Wednesday as trades were unofficially executed and more players were added to the chopping block, released. A flurry of moves will likely continue over the next few days as teams position themselves for the start of the legal tampering period Monday and the subsequent start of free agency Wednesday. By next week’s mock draft, team needs may have shifted significantly and there could be an entirely new way of looking at first-round projections.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is one of the biggest dominoes to potentially impact free agency, because, in theory, he could give a franchise several years of starting-caliber play. If he were to sign with Tennessee, then taking Cam Ward No. 1 overall is almost certainly off the table and one would assume that pick is traded to the highest bidder.
The availability of Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf and potential availability of 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk could also shake up the draft. It is not a particularly strong group of wide receivers, particularly at the top, so that could entice teams to fill their need via trade. Neither will receive a first-round pick in return for their services, but it could lead Seattle to explore potential solutions to replacing Metcalf.
In today’s thought exercise, the Titans sign Darnold and ultimately trade out of the No. 1 overall selection. It would be the third time in 10 years that a team has traded for the No. 1 overall selection; Chicago held the rights to the 2024 No. 1 overall selection as a result of Carolina’s move up to No. 1 overall the prior year. A trade explicitly for the No. 1 overall selection had not been orchestrated since 2016 prior to 2023.
Without further ado, let’s kick this off!
The draft order below was determined using the current 2025 NFL Draft order. For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on “With the First Pick” — our year-round NFL Draft podcast with analyst Ryan Wilson. You can find “With the First Pick” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Listen to the latest episode below!
The 2025 NFL Draft is to take place from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weekly mock drafts and a regularly available look at the eligible prospects.
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