NFL Draft 2025: Surprising Picks and Strategic Moves

The NFL draft for 2025 is shaping up to be an event full of surprises and strategic decisions. The Tennessee Titans are expected to pick Cam Ward, a quarterback from Miami, at the first spot. This choice seems almost certain, as the Titans have shown a clear need for a strong quarterback. Ward has impressive stats, with 4, 313 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, making him a solid choice for the Titans. The Cleveland Browns are likely to select Travis Hunter, a versatile player from Colorado. Hunter has shown great potential with 96 receptions and 1, 258 receiving yards. The Browns need a playmaker on offense, and Hunter fits that role perfectly. The presence of Myles Garrett makes Hunter a better fit than Abdul Carter, who would be more of a luxury pick. The New York Giants are projected to take Shedeur Sanders, another quarterback from Colorado, at the third pick. This choice is puzzling, given that the Giants have already invested in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Drafting a rookie quarterback seems counterproductive to their immediate goal of winning now. However, the Giants have shown significant interest in Sanders, making this pick seem likely. The New England Patriots are expected to select Abdul Carter, an edge rusher from Penn State, at the fourth spot. This pick makes sense for the Patriots, who need help in their pass rush. Carter's presence would be a significant boost to their defense. The Jacksonville Jaguars are likely to pick Mason Graham, a defensive lineman from Michigan, at the fifth spot. This choice is widely expected, as the Jaguars need help on the interior of their defensive line. Graham is known for his disruptive play, making him a valuable addition. The Las Vegas Raiders are projected to take Will Campbell, an offensive tackle from LSU, at the sixth spot. This pick addresses the Raiders' need for help at tackle. Campbell would be a massive upgrade at right tackle, allowing the Raiders to use their second-round pick on a running back. The New York Jets are expected to select Armand Membou, an offensive tackle from Missouri, at the seventh spot. Membou has drawn mixed reviews from scouts, but he has significant potential. In a class without any standout tackle prospects, the Jets are betting on his upside. The Carolina Panthers are likely to pick Jalon Walker, an edge rusher from Georgia, at the eighth spot. The Panthers have hinted at the possibility of trading down, but they may stand pat and take Walker, who is one of the most intriguing pass-rush prospects in the class. The New Orleans Saints are expected to select Mykel Williams, an edge rusher from Georgia, at the ninth spot. The Saints have shown interest in taking a quarterback, but with Ward and Sanders off the board, Williams is the best fit. He will help strengthen their pass rush. The Chicago Bears are projected to take Ashton Jeanty, a running back from Boise State, at the tenth spot. The Bears would prefer to address their defensive line, but with limited options, Jeanty is a solid consolation prize. He has the potential to be a game-changer for their offense. The San Francisco 49ers are likely to select Kelvin Banks Jr. , an offensive tackle from Texas, at the eleventh spot. Banks makes sense for the 49ers, who could use him at right tackle before eventually moving him to the left side when Trent Williams retires. The Dallas Cowboys are expected to pick Tetairoa McMillan, a wide receiver from Arizona, at the twelfth spot. McMillan has drawn mixed opinions, but he has the potential to be a reliable receiver. The Cowboys could use a player of his caliber. The Miami Dolphins are projected to take Walter Nolen, a defensive lineman from Ole Miss, at the thirteenth spot. The Dolphins have multiple picks in this draft and should use at least three of them on the defensive line. Nolen is a strong choice, as he is the second-best defensive tackle in this class behind Graham. The Indianapolis Colts are likely to select Tyler Warren, a tight end from Penn State, at the fourteenth spot. Warren is a versatile prospect who can do a little bit of everything on offense. He will be a valuable addition to the Colts' receiving corps. The Atlanta Falcons are expected to pick Will Johnson, a cornerback from Michigan, at the fifteenth spot. This choice addresses a need for the Falcons, who play a lot of zone coverage. Johnson is at his best in this type of defense. The Arizona Cardinals are projected to take Jahdae Barron, a cornerback from Texas, at the sixteenth spot. The Cardinals have a need at cornerback, and Barron is a solid fit. He will help strengthen their secondary. The Cincinnati Bengals are likely to select Mike Green, an edge rusher from Marshall, at the seventeenth spot. The Bengals need additional help in the pass rush, and Green fits that role perfectly. He has the potential to be a significant contributor. The Seattle Seahawks are expected to pick Tyler Booker, an interior offensive lineman from Alabama, at the eighteenth spot. The Seahawks need to fix the interior of their offensive line after bringing in Sam Darnold. Booker is the best guard in the class and could quickly become a leader on offense. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are projected to take Jihaad Campbell, a linebacker from Alabama, at the nineteenth spot. Campbell is better suited for a 3-4 defense, and Todd Bowles could be the perfect coach to tap into his potential as a game-wrecker. The Denver Broncos are likely to select Omarion Hampton, a running back from North Carolina, at the twentieth spot. Hampton is a solid choice, as he has the potential to have a better career than Ashton Jeanty, who is expected to be taken earlier. The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to pick Derrick Harmon, a defensive lineman from Oregon, at the twenty-first spot. The Steelers are still dealing with Aaron Rodgers, and with no obvious quarterback choice here, Harmon is a solid fit for their defensive line. The Los Angeles Chargers are projected to take Colston Loveland, a tight end from Michigan, at the twenty-second spot. Loveland is a better fit for what Jim Harbaugh teams typically do on offense. He will be a reliable target for Justin Herbert. The Green Bay Packers are likely to select Trey Amos, a cornerback from Ole Miss, at the twenty-third spot. Amos has seen his stock rise during the draft process and should find a home in the late first round. The Packers would be a good fit for him. The Minnesota Vikings are expected to pick Nick Emmanwori, a safety from South Carolina, at the twenty-fourth spot. The Vikings have only four picks in the draft and are an obvious trade-down candidate, but they hold onto their pick and take Emmanwori, who has the size and athleticism to be used in various ways. The Houston Texans are projected to take Donovan Jackson, an interior offensive lineman from Ohio State, at the twenty-fifth spot. The Texans have shown a clear need for help on the offensive line, and Jackson is a solid choice. He has the ability to play multiple positions. The Los Angeles Rams are likely to select Josh Simmons, an offensive tackle from Ohio State, at the twenty-sixth spot. Simmons' availability early in the season is a question mark due to a knee injury, but he is a valuable prospect who should not get out of the first round. The Baltimore Ravens are expected to pick Kenneth Grant, a defensive lineman from Michigan, at the twenty-seventh spot. The Ravens need help on the interior of their defensive line, and Grant's athleticism and explosiveness make him a valuable addition. The Detroit Lions are projected to take Josh Conerly Jr. , an offensive tackle from Oregon, at the twenty-eighth spot. The Lions are in the market for a guard, and while Conerly is a tackle, he could be moved to guard and then to tackle later. The New Orleans Saints are likely to trade back into the end of the first round to pick Jaxson Dart, a quarterback from Ole Miss, at the twenty-ninth spot. The Saints need a quarterback, and Dart is a solid choice. He can be groomed for a year behind Derek Carr or start if Carr isn't healthy. The Buffalo Bills are expected to pick Donovan Ezeiruaku, an edge rusher from Boston College, at the thirtieth spot. The Bills need help in the pass rush, and Ezeiruaku is a solid choice. He will provide depth and contribute to their defense. The Kansas City Chiefs are projected to take Shemar Stewart, an edge rusher from Texas A&M, at the thirty-first spot. Stewart has the traits to be a successful pass rusher, and the Chiefs need help in that area. He will be a valuable addition to their defense.