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2025 NFL Draft: Dates, Picks & Expert Analysis
2025 NFL Draft: Dates, Picks & Expert Analysis
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Round 1 starting April 24 at 8 p.m. ET. All rounds will air on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network, and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. While the Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 pick, numerous teams are actively evaluating prospects, strategizing for potential trades, and considering various draft-day scenarios.
One prominent mock draft, incorporating the Jimmy Johnson chart to assess trade value, projects a flurry of first-round trades. The Titans, despite seemingly favoring quarterback Cam Ward (Miami), are envisioned trading down from the No. 1 pick, potentially acquiring veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins (from the Falcons) in a three-way deal with the Browns. This would allow the Titans to select a top defensive player like edge rusher Abdul Carter (Penn State) or two-way star Travis Hunter (Colorado) and address other team needs. The Browns would move up to secure Ward, while the Falcons would clear salary cap space by offloading Cousins.
Further down the draft order, other hypothetical trades involve the Raiders moving up to select Hunter at No. 6, the Giants trading down to acquire additional picks and allowing the Panthers to select Carter at No. 3, and the Patriots trading for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (49ers) to bolster their receiving corps. The Jaguars are predicted to trade up to acquire Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), while the Saints could trade down, accumulating additional picks. The Cowboys' situation is further complicated by their roster construction and projected salary-cap issues. One scenario has them trading away edge rusher Micah Parsons in a three-team trade to acquire another edge rusher and additional draft picks.
Expert analysis suggests this draft lacks top-tier quarterback prospects, increasing the likelihood of teams trading down unless they're convinced a franchise quarterback is available. The emphasis is placed on building strong rosters before pursuing quarterbacks, highlighting the successes of teams that have used this strategy recently. The advice given to teams is to avoid reaching for average players at positions like cornerback or guard and instead prioritize selecting potentially special players. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, considered among the top prospects by some analysts, is a player many believe should be drafted very early. The depth at key positions, including defensive line and running back, suggests that teams should consider sticking with their initial draft position and selecting the best available player instead of trading up. The Dallas Cowboys, entering the draft with the 12th pick and 10 total selections, face needs at defensive tackle, cornerback, running back, and wide receiver, prompting much speculation regarding their draft strategy and which players might be targeted in the first round.
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Round 1 starting April 24 at 8 p.m. ET. All rounds will air on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network, and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. While the Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 pick, numerous teams are actively evaluating prospects, strategizing for potential trades, and considering various draft-day scenarios.
One prominent mock draft, incorporating the Jimmy Johnson chart to assess trade value, projects a flurry of first-round trades. The Titans, despite seemingly favoring quarterback Cam Ward (Miami), are envisioned trading down from the No. 1 pick, potentially acquiring veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins (from the Falcons) in a three-way deal with the Browns. This would allow the Titans to select a top defensive player like edge rusher Abdul Carter (Penn State) or two-way star Travis Hunter (Colorado) and address other team needs. The Browns would move up to secure Ward, while the Falcons would clear salary cap space by offloading Cousins.
Further down the draft order, other hypothetical trades involve the Raiders moving up to select Hunter at No. 6, the Giants trading down to acquire additional picks and allowing the Panthers to select Carter at No. 3, and the Patriots trading for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (49ers) to bolster their receiving corps. The Jaguars are predicted to trade up to acquire Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), while the Saints could trade down, accumulating additional picks. The Cowboys' situation is further complicated by their roster construction and projected salary-cap issues. One scenario has them trading away edge rusher Micah Parsons in a three-team trade to acquire another edge rusher and additional draft picks.
Expert analysis suggests this draft lacks top-tier quarterback prospects, increasing the likelihood of teams trading down unless they're convinced a franchise quarterback is available. The emphasis is placed on building strong rosters before pursuing quarterbacks, highlighting the successes of teams that have used this strategy recently. The advice given to teams is to avoid reaching for average players at positions like cornerback or guard and instead prioritize selecting potentially special players. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, considered among the top prospects by some analysts, is a player many believe should be drafted very early. The depth at key positions, including defensive line and running back, suggests that teams should consider sticking with their initial draft position and selecting the best available player instead of trading up. The Dallas Cowboys, entering the draft with the 12th pick and 10 total selections, face needs at defensive tackle, cornerback, running back, and wide receiver, prompting much speculation regarding their draft strategy and which players might be targeted in the first round.
