NFL
By: Dom Choroski
With the start of the NFL Combine, we have officially entered draft season! The 2025 NFL Draft is just under two months away, and every NFL general manager, coach, and scout is putting their draft boards together. The combine will go a long way towards helping players ascend, while some will falter. Let’s take a look at what could unfold come April!
1. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter (Edge – Penn State)
While I believe Travis Hunter is the best player in the draft and the “generational talent” that was eluded to by Titans’ President of Football Operation, Chad Brinker, Abdul Carter plays the higher value position and is the best edge prospect in the draft.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter (DB/WR – Colorado)
The Browns could go in multiple directions with this pick. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a trade down, but if Cleveland elects to keep the pick taking the best player in the draft isn’t a bad option. Moving on from Deshaun Watson will take some time, and instead of reaching for a QB in a weaker class, they opt for the Heisman Winner.
3. New York Giants: Cam Ward (QB – Miami)
The Giants need a QB. Plain and simple. Given that Ward is the better athlete and has more of that “highlight play” ability, I believe Brian Daboll, the Giants’ Head Coach, can mold Ward into a premier passer, just like he did with Josh Allen in Buffalo.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell (OT – LSU)
Despite only playing in 13 games, Drake Maye was the 13th most sacked QB this past season with 34. The Patriots, now led by Mike Vrabel who values the trenches, take the best offensive lineman in the draft to protect the franchise QB.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham (DL – Michigan)
No changes here, Mason Graham is the perfect combination of the best player available and a position of need. No, the Jaguars aren’t trading Trevor Lawrence.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)
The Raiders have a lot of holes to fill, they also have close to $100 million in cap space to play with in free agency. With new head coach, Pete Carroll, signing free agents shouldn’t be an issue. Load the team up in free agency, take Sanders, and put yourself in a position to win.
7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State)
Aaron Rodgers’ stint with the Jets has concluded, along with the likely departure of wide-out, Davante Adams. Tyrod Taylor is currently set to be the starting QB of the Jets in 2025, with emphasis on “currently.” No matter who is leading the offense, replacing some of that firepower with Tyler Warren will make life easier.
8. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams (Edge – Georgia)
Mykel Williams recently stated that he played the entire season at “less than 60%.” Impressive when you consider that he accounted for 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 2024. The Panthers’ defensive unit was one of the worst in the league last year and getting a difference-maker like Williams is a start to rebuilding that side of the ball.
9. New Orleans Saints: Mike Green (Edge – Marshall)
The Marshall product continues to impress, from his performance against Ohio State to his domination at the Senior Bowl. Mike Green will have another chance to boost his draft status at the combine, where his physical abilities will be put on showcase. The Saints can’t rely on Cameron Jordan forever.
10. Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
Yes, the Bears’ offensive line needs some work. Yes, the Bears just signed D’Andre Swift a year ago. However, Ben Johnson loves having a strong running game with two horses leading the carriage. He’s also shown that he may not be too keen on Swift having already had a hand in trading him once before. A running back like Jeanty can unlock another level for your offense, just ask the Eagles.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT – Texas)
We will know more about where Banks Jr. will play at the next level after his Combine results. Some will see him as a guard, some will put him as a tackle. Either way, Banks’ experience with 42 starts means he should be able to thrive no matter where you play him.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Josh Simmons (OT – Ohio State)
The Cowboys would love to see Jeanty still on the board but in this edition, they pivot to address the retirement of Zach Martin, one of the cornerstones of their offensive line over the past decade. Simmons saw his season cut short due to an ankle injury but is expected to pass his Combine medicals. When healthy, Simmons was the anchor of a National Title-winning offensive line.
13. Miami Dolphins: Tyler Booker (OG – Alabama)
Free agency could claim two starters off the Dolphins’ offensive line. Given Tua Tagavialoa’s injury history, protecting him is priority #1. Tyler Booker is arguably the best interior lineman in this draft class.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks (S – Georgia)
I would love to get Anthony Richardson some help here but with Starks on the board, the Colts get one of the best players in the draft and add a ballhawk to a leaky secondary.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker (Edge – Georgia)
Falcons’ fans rejoice! For years fans have complained about a lack of pass rush and expressed frustration with the organization’s aversion to drafting Georgia Bulldogs. Jalon Walker checks both boxes. The Bulldog would provide an instant rush off the edge for the “Dirty Birds”.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen (DL – Ole Miss)
The Cardinals need a difference-maker up front and Walter Nolen, who had 6.5 sacks this past season, is disruptive at the point of attack and would be a welcome addition on that line.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Will Johnson (DB – Michigan)
Will Johnson is the best “true corner” in the class and to get him with the 17th pick in the draft is too high of value to pass for a Cinncinatti defense that desperately needs to improve their secondary.
18. Seattle Seahawks: James Pearce Jr. (Edge – Tennessee)
Recent character concerns have begun to pop up around Pearce, which may impact his draft status. Some teams may opt to take him off their board entirely. The Seahawks look to pair him with Leonard Williams and create a dominant two-front pass rush.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona)
Despite his continued production, Mike Evans will not be around forever. Add in the fact that Chris Godwin, who missed most of the season with an ankle injury, is set to be a free agent, and the Buccaneers have a pretty big hole in the pass-catcher role.
20. Denver Broncos: Luther Burden III (WR – Missouri)
Sean Payton, again, passes on the Ohio State wide receiver, Emeka Egbuka, in favor of Luther Burden III. Burden’s ability to create chunk plays by getting yards after the catch fits in perfectly with Payton’s offense and Bo Nix’s strengths.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Matthew Golden (WR – Texas)
There is speculation that the Steelers could look to add their defense, specifically the secondary and defensive line. That being said, rolling out a wide receiver room similar to last year’s in 2025 is a recipe for disaster. Golden provides that home-run ability that will also free up George Pickens.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan)
Some things make too much sense to ignore. The Chargers need playmakers, Loveland is one of the best available, and he and head coach, Jim Harbaugh, already have history from their time together at Michigan.
23. Green Bay Packers: Jahdae Baron (DB – Texas)
I had Jahdae Baron mocked to the Packers before the news that they were taking trade calls on Jaire Alexander. That news makes it all the more likely that the Packers will be looking to replace him.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Derrick Harmon (DT – Oregon)
The Vikings have to compete with some talented offenses in the NFC North, all of whom have their franchise QBs in place. Adding an interior disruptor is a great way to affect a QB as well as fill holes in the run game.
25. Houston Texans: Armand Membou (OT – Mizzou)
C.J. Stroud’s sophomore slump could be attributed in large part to the poor play up front. The Texans offensive line gave up 54 sacks last year. Armand Membou gave up just one sack all season last year.
26. Los Angeles Ram: Jihad Campbell (LB – Alabama)
The Rams can find protection for Matthew Stafford in later rounds and free agency. Campbell is a rangy linebacker that can do just about anything you ask him. Having him anchor the Rams’ defense moving forward would be a dream come true.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Williams (OT – Texas)
I continue to like this fit. There is no guarantee that Ronnie Stanley will return and if the Ravens want to keep Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry playing at MVP levels, then sealing any cracks in the trenches is the way to go.
28. Detroit Lions: Shemar Stewart (Edge – Texas A&M)
The Detroit Lions watched their promising season halt to an end after being thrashed by the Commanders in the playoffs. Part of that early playoff exit was due to the 21 defensive players on IR for the Lions last season. Pairing Shemar Stewart with Aidan Hutchinson will be a headache for opposing QBs.
29. Washington Commanders: Emeka Ebguka (WR – Ohio State)
The Commanders’ offense has some solid role players like Noah Brown, but finding a consistent #2 to go alongside Terry McLaurin opens up a whole new world of opportunities for Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels, and this offense.
30. Buffalo Bills: Nic Scourton (Edge – Texas A&M)
As the team that just can’t get over the hump when it comes to beating the Chiefs in the postseason, the Bills take a page out of Philly’s playbook and add Nic Scourton, who should have no trouble chasing after Patrick Mahomes.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Arieontae Ersery (OT – Minnesota)
Speaking of Patrick Mahomes, it was another year where the offensive line failed to protect Mahomes and the Chiefs lost another Super Bowl because of it. Ersery is experienced with 39 starts in his career and has the ideal size at 6’6″ and 330Ibs for an NFL tackle.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku (Edge – Boston College)
The Eagles are flying high after a dominant win in the Super Bowl, however, the threat of losing Josh Sweat looms. Donovan Ezeiruaku tallied 16.5 sacks in 2024, and we know how much the Eagles covet getting after the QB.
