The 2025 NFL draft kicks off with Round 1 on Thursday night (8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC), and our insiders are gathering all of the latest intel on how things might go down. When will the quarterbacks come off the board, and in what order? Which teams could surprise? How will the first round play out? Who are the late-rising prospects to watch? And could we even see some trades this week?
Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano and Adam Rittenberg have spent the past few days making calls to people around the NFL and college football, including execs, coaches and scouts. Here's all of the last-minute buzz they've heard on the 2025 draft.
Let's begin with what we're hearing on the quarterback class.
Jump to latest buzz on:
Where could the top QBs land?
What else could happen in Round 1?
Who are some names to know for Days 2-3?
Which teams could make trades at the draft?
Where will the QBs land?
Fowler: The Titans have decided to stay in the No. 1 spot, and the entire league expects the pick to be Miami quarterback Cam Ward. They've done considerable homework on Ward, spent quality time with him and his family on multiple occasions and are comfortable with not only his football ability but also his makeup off the field. But what happens next in the QB class is anyone's guess. When I asked an NFL general manager how many QBs will go in the first round, he referenced the current Vegas line of 2.5 as "about right."
Finding a clear-cut home for Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is not easy. Many teams I've spoken to now expect Sanders to fall out of the top 10, though they also point to an outside chance that the Giants take him at No. 3. There isn't much momentum that the Saints will take him at No. 9. The Steelers have an appreciation for his game, but with big needs on defense and no second-round pick, they could eschew the position entirely at No. 21. However, multiple teams I've spoken to still have Pittsburgh loosely earmarked as an intriguing option for Sanders.
Graziano: Yeah, the Steelers look like the spot to watch for Sanders if he's going to go in the first round. He made a strong positive impression on their coaching staff during the predraft process, and not having the second-round pick might actually mean the Steelers could stretch for a QB on Day 1.
But Pittsburgh has other needs -- most prominently defensive tackle and running back -- and could absolutely use its pick on one of the many well-regarded interior defensive linemen in this class. If the Steelers are going to go DT in the first round, my sense is they would prefer to trade down a bit and add another Day 2 selection if possible. They might need it if they're planning to address quarterback before the draft is over.
Fowler: The Steelers' QB plans are also complicated by a few factors -- even beyond the Aaron Rodgers uncertainty. I continue to hear Pittsburgh wants to take a swing on a quarterback in one of the next two drafts, and next year's class is considered stronger. I'm just not sure taking one in the first round in 2025 makes the most sense for them. Consider this: I asked an NFL offensive coordinator where Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph would rank in this draft class, had he been coming out with the rest of the group. The coordinator placed him third.
Graziano: Pittsburgh's No. 21 pick is also one to watch for potential trade-ups by teams such as the Browns, Giants and Saints if Ward is still the only QB off the board at that point. Teams are keeping an eye on the Rams at No. 26 and might want to navigate in front of them. Los Angeles could quietly be in the market for one of the young QBs because Matthew Stafford, 37, is clearly on a year-to-year program at this point.
Fowler: One back-pocket thought I keep going back to: The Browns like Sanders' processing ability at the line of scrimmage. They also have 10 picks in the draft, including two third-rounders and four sixth-rounders. So packaging picks to trade into the middle-to-late first round seems feasible.
Graziano: Then there are the Giants. While I can't rule it out entirely, most of the people I talk to still don't expect the Giants to take a quarterback with the third pick. The more likely outcome is that they take Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter -- whichever the Browns don't take at No. 2 -- and then try to use their second-round selection to solve their long-term QB problem. That could mean sitting tight and using the 34th pick on someone such as Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart or Alabama's Jalen Milroe, or even trading up into the first round to pick one Thursday night.
Much of the chatter I've heard in the past couple of days indicates a growing impression that Giants coach Brian Daboll prefers Dart over Sanders and the rest of the non-Ward passers on the board. I doubt they would take him at No. 3, but if they were to trade out of that spot, it's possible they could pick him later in the round. It's also worth noting that Giants GM Joe Schoen, not Daboll, is in charge of making the pick. Daboll's opinion is certainly significant in Schoen's final evaluation, but if the organization as a whole settles on Sanders or someone else, don't be surprised. As Daboll said in his news conference Monday, it's a collaborative process with a lot of people contributing opinions and evaluations.
Dan Graziano breaks down whether the Giants should select a quarterback with their No. 3 pick in the NFL draft.
Fowler: I got the same line from three different executives when I asked about Dart potentially going in the top 15: I don't expect it, but I also wouldn't be surprised. Teams are legitimately torn on Dart. While one will suggest his status as a potential first-round pick could be more of a media creation than reality, another believes he's tracking for the first round because of his arm talent, mobility and upside. The Saints, Steelers and Giants all seem like options here, and New Orleans, in particular, has done a lot of work on his evaluation.
Graziano: Dart is getting a lot of late buzz, and I don't think it would be a surprise at this point if he were the second quarterback taken. In addition to those three teams, I've also heard speculative connections to the Browns and Rams. It's possible that if he's the apple of someone's eye, there could be trade movement in the first round to secure him.
Fowler: Milroe, meanwhile, is still positioned to be an early Day 2 pick, though I've talked to a few executives in recent days who wonder if a team will trade into late-Round 1 for him. "I think someone will do it," an NFC executive said. The Raiders are on the radar, which would make sense; he could develop behind Geno Smith for a few years. The upside on Milroe is sizable. I spoke to long-established QB coach Jordan Palmer, who says Milroe checks the two most important boxes for a signal-caller: He's a competitive learner and a high achiever. Palmer and Milroe have worked over the past year on fluidity and connection to the ground as a passer, which should help his accuracy at the next level.
Three more QB-related notes:
Louisville's Tyler Shough has emerged late, with great arm strength and 6-foot-5 size. "He's my No. 2 quarterback," an AFC executive said. And one NFL general manager went as far as to say he would not be surprised if Shough went on Day 1. I've heard that some people with the Rams are very high on Shough (though they don't have a second-round pick), and the Giants have done a lot of work here, too.
While the Saints, Steelers and Giants have either worked out or met with Syracuse's Kyle McCord, other teams that've shown sneaky interest in him during the predraft process are the Jaguars and Rams. Some teams see him as more of a QB2, but you'd be surprised how many coaches have him rated highly in a class that's considered weaker and wide open. "He can read a defense, really smart, loves football, studies, can learn all the concepts, can make all of the throws," a veteran NFL assistant coach told me.
As far as midround options go, Pittsburgh has done a lot of work on Ohio State's Will Howard. The Colts, Jets and Raiders also have looked into Howard, whose play in the College Football Playoff helped his profile.
Mike Tannenbaum and Adam Schefter discuss whether Tyler Shough can be a franchise quarterback despite his injury history.
How could the rest of Round 1 shake out?
Fowler: Several industry sources believe the Patriots have an affection for LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell. Assuming Hunter and Carter are off the board, Campbell would represent a safe pick for New England at No. 4, and word is new coach Mike Vrabel is high on him. Campbell would provide New England the chance to reestablish its identity across the offensive line for quarterback Drake Maye.
Things get interesting at No. 5. Multiple teams picking in the top 10 are under the impression Jacksonville could go offense there. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is on the Jaguars' radar as the best offensive player available at that spot. He's on the proverbial short list. One of the GMs I spoke to thinks wide receiver isn't off the table for Jacksonville in the first round, as the team could pair Brian Thomas Jr. with someone such as Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan.
The Raiders have also been linked to Jeanty, but the Mason Graham connection could be one to watch at No. 6, too. The Michigan ties run deep with Graham, general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. And Graham's lengthy video call with defensive line coach Rob Leonard featured a special cameo: Maxx Crosby. I talked to teams Sunday and Monday that still think offensive tackle (perhaps Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. or Missouri's Armand Membou) will ultimately be considerations for Las Vegas, too.
Graziano: On the subject of Graham, my current belief is that the early part of Round 1 could be very heavy on defensive linemen. There are a ton of good edge rushers and pass-rushing defensive tackles this year. And in a draft where teams don't seem thrilled about the choices at quarterback, cornerback, offensive tackle and wide receiver, I wouldn't be surprised if a bunch of teams default to pass rusher on Day 1. It does sound like Jacksonville is thinking offensive playmaker (Jeanty, McMillan or even Penn State tight end Tyler Warren) at No. 5. But the Raiders (No. 6), Jets (No. 7), Panthers (No. 8) and Saints (No. 9) all look like teams that could select defensive lineman.
That means you could hear names such as Jalon Walker (Georgia), Mykel Williams (Georgia), Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Derrick Harmon (Oregon), James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Mike Green (Marshall) and Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) called early. That would make life interesting for the Falcons, who are sitting at No. 15 and desperate for defensive help in this draft. Could they try to trade up if the top defensive linemen start flying off the board?
Fowler: Walker as a top-10 pick seems viable. One executive whose team picks high in the draft said Walker's Thursday workout at UGA was "outstanding." Walker is firmly on the radar for Carolina at No. 8. And one industry source predicted that his floor is probably Atlanta's pick. Williams also is well positioned. While he might not go in the top 10, he's a legit option in the teens. Multiple teams told me Atlanta and Arizona (No. 16) are two to watch.
Offense could be the focus at the back of the top 10 and into the teens. The Bears (No. 10) have been linked to skill players such as Jeanty and Warren. If Jeanty is for some reason there at No. 10, the word is Chicago loves him. If not, multiple execs believe offensive tackle makes more sense. "Caleb Williams was sacked like 90 times last year," a veteran NFL personnel man said. (He was sacked 68 times, but point taken.)
Graziano: And many around the league believe the Cowboys are likely to take a wide receiver at No. 12. Dallas could have its pick of them -- outside of Hunter, of course. McMillan and Texas' Matthew Golden are the two names to watch if the Cowboys go that direction.
Here's another name to watch for Dallas, though, on the other side of the ball: Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. He is extremely well regarded by teams and could go higher than expected if some team (Cowboys? 49ers? Colts?) loses out on its Plan A on Thursday night.
Fowler: Yeah, Campbell has a projected range of anywhere from late top 10 to the late teens. "He's a top-10 player in the draft, without question," an NFC executive said. "He's awesome. You just worry a little about the durability." Mounting injuries at Alabama, including a shoulder injury that prompted labrum surgery this offseason, are on teams' files as something to consider. One team believed to be very high on Campbell is the Buccaneers (No. 19). Perhaps Tampa Bay serves as a de facto floor for him. One scout from a team in the late first round admitted, "I hope he falls, for our sake."
A few more things I heard on Round 1, quick-hitter style:
Teams have some injury concerns with cornerback Will Johnson. He did not run a predraft 40-yard dash. While some franchises are wondering whether he'll be available in the back half of the first round, one AFC executive finds that hard to believe because of Johnson's strong body of work on the field.
The Dolphins (No. 13) have been linked to defensive backs in the first round, an obvious choice after losing safety Jevon Holland in free agency and amid trade speculation around cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Texas corner Jahdae Barron and Georgia safety Malaki Starks could be among the options there.
Multiple teams said they could see Michigan's Colston Loveland as the first tight end taken -- ahead of Warren. "Because of athleticism and upside," an AFC executive said. Both players have a chance to go pretty high, though.
Some execs have pegged Ohio State's Josh Simmons as the best pure OT in the class. "He probably had the best tape of any offensive tackle," a personnel director said. Teams I've checked with aren't overly concerned about his recovery from a torn patellar tendon.
Kentucky corner Maxwell Hairston is considered a riser as the draft approaches. "He's a first-round-graded player, easy," a veteran NFL defensive coach said. He has the speed (4.28-second 40 time) and instincts. And while his size (5-foot-11, 183 pounds) has been a slight concern for some evaluators, it shouldn't affect his stock much.
Several teams are anticipating a run on RBs at some point. North Carolina's Omarion Hampton could go earlier than expected. An executive said he believes Denver (No. 20) could be a pivot point for running backs. "I think [Hampton is] the best back, and I think that's who Denver is targeting," the exec said. Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson could also go earlier than most think. Enough teams have him very high on their RB board, meaning late Round 1 isn't totally out of the question. Contenders such as the Texans, Chiefs and Commanders are looking to improve their ground games. The Chiefs conducted a virtual call with Henderson on Tuesday, and coach Andy Reid was part of the call.
It's always fun to ask teams for their sleeper first-rounders -- names that would be a mild surprise to the common fan but not necessarily to those in the draft rooms. Here are a few I've heard: South Carolina defensive lineman T.J. Sanders, Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson and East Carolina corner Shavon Revel Jr. (Kansas State corner Jacob Parrish and Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner are deeper sleepers mentioned for Day 2.)
The Giants' 2022 draft -- Schoen's first -- seems intrinsically tied to this year. If the Giants take Carter at No. 3, that puts 2022 first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux's future into focus. While the Giants appear undecided on whether to pick up Thibodeaux's fifth-year option, sources said New York is not expected to pick up offensive lineman Evan Neal's option. Declining Thibodeaux's option would represent a rough first draft for Schoen. But as one AFC executive sees it, the Giants could play Carter and Thibodeaux together, along with Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence II, to try to recreate the glory days of the Giants under Tom Coughlin. They'd be trying to win with elite pass-rush depth.
Who are some names to watch on Day 2 and beyond?
Rittenberg: The draft projects to have Day 2 value at wide receiver, and among those who should hear their names called Friday is Washington State's Kyle Williams. He's smaller at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds but has explosive ability, averaging 17.1 yards per catch last fall. "He's a vertical charger, he's an over-the-top catcher," said Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert, who coached Williams at WSU. "But he really showed this last year how good he is with the ball in his hands. Everyone knew he could run and catch a vertical, but he took some screens, some hitches to the house, showed like, 'OK, this guy's pretty dynamic.'"
Staying with the pass catchers, LSU's Mason Taylor could be the third tight end selected after Warren and Loveland. He set team records for a tight end with 129 receptions for 1,308 yards and six TDs over three seasons. "Everybody thinks he's going to be kind of somewhere around [pick No.] 40 to 50, which is a pretty good deal," an LSU source said.
Check out some stats and info from draft prospect Mason Taylor of LSU.
Graziano: This is a completely personal perspective, but the Day 3 marriage of team and player that I'm hoping to see is Florida defensive tackle Desmond Watson to the Eagles. Watson weighs 464 pounds -- 80-plus pounds more than the heaviest player in the NFL in 2024. He has said he's working on getting his weight down because he knows that will be his path to staying in the league. But he has incredible strength and agility for his size (36 bench press reps and a 25-inch vertical jump at his pro day). Couldn't you totally see Philadelphia finding a way to mold him into the kind of player who helps them win Super Bowls? And think about what Watson -- who actually had a carry and converted a first down on offense in Florida's bowl game last season -- would bring to the tush push play.
Rittenberg: Speaking of big players, Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker (6-foot-7 and 331 pounds) is a fringe top-100 prospect. Walker earned All-SEC honors in each of the past three seasons, and though his production declined a bit in 2024, he played the season with a fracture in his back. "If it got to Day 3, people I would assume would be clamoring to trade up for the first pick of [Round 4] to get him," a Kentucky source said. "You watch his freshman, sophomore film, there's a reason he was talked about as a preseason top-12 pick. So the ability and the talent is there."
One last note: Iowa prospects have a history of overperforming their draft positions, with Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean (No. 40 in 2024) being the latest. Two Hawkeyes defenders who could follow the same route are safety Sebastian Castro and linebacker Jay Higgins, who are projected as Day 2 or Day 3 selections. Castro started three seasons and earned third-team All-America honors in 2023, while Higgins was a first-team All-America selection last fall and had 295 tackles over the past two seasons. "They'll get dinged for everything that's not football, but when you turn on the tape, that's what they're banking on," an Iowa staff member said.
Which teams could make trades?
Fowler: Multiple teams picking in the top 10 say the Browns are indeed getting calls about the No. 2 pick, as ESPN's Peter Schrager reported. But Cleveland is keeping completely quiet. Not taking Hunter would ultimately be a surprise to many, even some within the Browns' building. The Jets, meanwhile, could be open to trading back from No. 7, according to multiple teams.
The Texans (No. 25) are calling into the top half of the first round to potentially move up. While their target is unclear, one NFC executive predicts Houston is interested in Texas' Banks, trying to solve a clear need at offensive tackle. Teams behind Houston are also hearing from GM Nick Caserio, so it's possible the Texans are just doing their due diligence across the board. The Broncos (No. 20) are also looking to move up, as Adam Schefter noted. And while San Francisco (No. 11) has been linked to trade rumors, there isn't much buzz around the 49ers making a move as of now. If San Francisco targets defensive line, the 11th pick is a good spot to find someone.
Peter Schrager says the Browns and Giants are listening to offers for the second and third picks in the NFL draft.
Graziano: I'm curious to see how the first round affects potential veteran trade talks. If the Bengals draft an edge rusher they love, does that make them more likely to honor Trey Hendrickson's trade request? Maybe get them to drop their demands and take a second-round pick for Hendrickson?
And if the Browns or Steelers whiff at quarterback, does that make them more likely to push Atlanta on a Kirk Cousins trade? Cousins has a no-trade clause and would prefer to wait until after the draft before approving any deal, so as to avoid a repeat of last year (when he signed with the Falcons before they drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round a month and a half later).
Also, if the Colts or some other tight end-needy team misses out on the top guys at that position, that could make them more likely to pursue an available veteran such as Baltimore's Mark Andrews or Philadelphia's Dallas Goedert.