1. TENNESSEE: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Let’s not forget that with two weeks left in the regular season the Giants had complete control over this pick. Sigh. And then the Patriots did too. Both decided to win what we’re now looking back on as meaningless games and the Titans “earned” the top pick. Judging by the amount of offseason maneuvering the Titans have done at the quarterback position – which is nothing – it’s pretty clear where this is headed. The bigger question is whether Ward will join the list of recent quarterbacks the Giants were, ironically, too good to draft, ruefully standing alongside Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, or if he’ll become a misstep the Giants avoided.
2. CLEVELAND: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Browns definitely need a quarterback, too, but they also have a lot of other holes that need plugging. It’s why they’ll go with the league’s only two-for-one deal and a talent that can be used on both offense and defense.
3. GIANTS: Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
The Giants did a decent job of stabilizing their quarterback position with the signings of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, which will allow them to take the best player available here. And Carter? He may be the best player available anywhere in this draft. Four years after they passed over Micah Parsons, the Giants finally will get the kind of defensive playmaker who can singlehandedly impact results. And as for that quarterback? Well, don’t turn the first round off too early, Giants fans.
4. NEW ENGLAND: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Signing Stefon Diggs gave Drake Maye a legit number-one target. Now the Patriots need to make sure he has time to throw the ball to him. Campbell is as solid as it gets in that regard in this draft class.
5. JACKSONVILLE: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Even in this very deep defensive line class, Graham stands out. He’s the kind of player a team can build an entire defense around.
6. LAS VEGAS: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Pete Carroll has always loved dynamic running backs. He won in college with Reggie Bush and in the pros with Marshawn Lynch. The Raiders let Josh Jacobs walk in free agency last year without really replacing him. Now they have the chance to do that.
Armand Membou of Missouri participates in the NFL Scouting Combine on March 2, 2025 in Indianapolis. Credit: Getty Images
7. JETS: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
It’s hard to pass on Penn State tight end Tyler Warren here but the Jets seem to be rebuilding with more practicality than panache these days. There is no doubt Aaron Glenn was watching closely when his Lions turned their fortunes around. The key moment in Detroit wasn’t landing flashy skill players or even a marquee quarterback, but picking Penei Sewell to anchor the offensive line. Membou, who played plenty of right tackle in college, is a little undersized but super reliable and can give the Jets a perfect bookend on their line with last year’s first-rounder Olu Fashanu over on the left side.
Shedeur Sanders takes part in Colorado’s pro day Friday, April 4, 2025. Credit: AP
8. GIANTS (via CAROLINA): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Trade! The Panthers have made it clear that they are open to moving this pick and it happens to be just where the Giants and other teams probably have the second quarterback in this draft class. It also helps the Panthers to keep Sanders away from the division-rival Saints with that ninth pick. Sanders has been linked to the Giants for a long time, from his bowl-game cleats with the “NY” logos on them to his Manhattan tosses with Malik Nabers to his Shrine Game fist bumps with Brian Daboll. The only thing left to do is close the deal, and the Giants do that here in dramatic fashion, using their second-rounder (34th overall, which Carolina can use to still find a really good defensive line starter) and some capital from next year’s draft… which Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen might not be around to utilize anyway.
9. NEW ORLEANS: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Saints’ outlook has certainly shifted of late with the news that Derek Carr may miss the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. That puts them firmly in the “Needs a Quarterback” column. It’s actually just the kind of opportunity someone like Kirk Cousins is looking for, but the Saints may have to overpay to lure him away from the NFC South rival Falcons. Also, while it’s pretty gloomy, there is no definite prognosis on Carr. So the Saints should take Warren, a throwback tight end who grew up idolizing John Riggins and who might actually be a better version of the gadgety tight end the Saints have been using the past few years in Taysom Hill.
10. CHICAGO: Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia
The Bears already did plenty to bolster their offensive line this offseason, so now they can bring in some toys to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. There are some scouts who have Walker as one of the top five talents in this class, so getting him at 10 is a nice pick.
11. SAN FRANCISCO: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
After letting Charvarius Ward go to the Colts in free agency, the 49ers need a top cornerback to battle with all those receivers in the NFC West. Johnson will give them that.
12. DALLAS: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
CeeDee Lamb needs a big body wideout to draw attention from defenses so he can do his thing from the slot. At 6-4, McMillan can do that and give Dak Prescott another target.
13. MIAMI: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
The Dolphins have learned that speed isn’t the only skillset and this pick gives them some stoutness up the middle.
14. L.A. CHARGERS (via INDIANAPOLIS): Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Trade! Jim Harbaugh recruited Loveland to Ann Arbor and now brings the big traditional tight end to the West Coast. He’s got a huge catch radius which will make him the ideal safety valve for Justin Herbert.
15. ATLANTA: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Oddly enough the Falcons have never drafted a player from the University of Georgia. Their thirst for pass rushers leads them to this in-state pick and gives new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich someone to create mayhem.
16. ARIZONA: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
After bolstering the defensive line in free agency, the Cardinals need someone who can play behind them. Campbell is an excellent off-ball ‘backer who can immediately become the quarterback of their defense.
17. CINCINNATI: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
If this season taught the Bengals anything it’s that a team can’t win on offense alone.
18. SEATTLE: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
A busy offseason for Seahawks receivers stays busy. Out went Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, in came Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and now is the chance to give Sam Darnold a field-stretcher like he had with Justin Jefferson in Minnesota.
Tyler Shough of Louisville participates in the NFL Combine on March 1, 2025 in Indianapolis. Credit: Getty Images
19. CLEVELAND (via TAMPA BAY): Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
Another trade! This time the Browns make their move for a quarterback – jumping ahead of the Steelers who are still hitting the Aaron Rodgers snooze button – and take Shough, who helped himself quite a bit at the Combine.
20. DENVER: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Bo Nix exceeded expectations as a rookie even without much help from the running game. Giving him a two-time All-American who is a home run hitter with the ball and also a polished pass protector will only make Nix more comfortable.
Jaxson Dart #2 of Mississippi looks on before the start of a game on Jan. 2, 2025 in Jacksonville. Credit: Getty Images
21. PITTSBURGH: Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi
The Steelers could have the oldest and the youngest quarterbacks in the NFL. That’s assuming they emerge from the Aaron Rodgers Vortex with the future Hall of Famer on their roster. Pairing Rodgers with Dart will give the rookie time to mature, get used to the NFL, and eventually take over the offense.
22. INDIANAPOLIS (via L.A. CHARGERS): Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
With experience all over the secondary – strong and free safety, outside and inside cornerback – Barron can step in where needed. What he won’t have to be in Indy (for now) is the top cornerback. He can learn from Charvarius Ward and grow.
23. GREEN BAY: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
The host team for the draft is finally on the clock and picks a cornerback coming off a torn ACL in 2024, but also one who can help them match up against all those NFC North wideouts the Packers have to face.
24. MINNESOTA: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Brian Flores’ defenses require secondary players who can do it all just like Harrison Smith has for the past few seasons. Emmanwori fits that mold and should be the heir to that role.
25. HOUSTON: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
If there is one team in the league that needs a big blocker to man the middle of their offensive line, it is the Texans.
26. L.A. RAMS: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
After reinvesting in Matthew Stafford this offseason (much to the Giants’ chagrin) the Rams need to make sure he stays safe through these waning years of his career.
27. BALTIMORE: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
The Ravens need a pass rusher who can dominate one-on-ones and get after all the quarterbacks standing between them and the elusive AFC title.
28. DETROIT: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
The Lions figure to get Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport back for 2025 but Ezeiruaku gives them depth and insurance at a position the Lions prize.
29. WASHINGTON: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
The Commanders get more speed and length on the edge with this productive pick.
30. BUFFALO: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Ed Oliver and DeWayne Carter get a new partner up front as the run on defensive tackles, one of the deepest positions in this class, begins and continues right into Round 2.
31. KANSAS CITY: Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State
After an embarrassing display of protection for Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, Andy Reid knows his future depends on getting the offensive line fixed in a hurry.
32. PHILADELPHIA: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Assuming their signature short-yardage play remains legal, the reigning champs will need a mauler in the middle to take the place of Mekhi Becton.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday’s Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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