The highest of the 2025 NFL Draft is taking form.
As famous by Pro Football Talk on Thursday, the betting odds for the highest seven picks in subsequent week’s first spherical have solidified, with oddsmakers establishing clear favorites for the Titans (Miami quarterback Cam Ward), Browns (Colorado cornerback/large receiver Travis Hunter), Giants (Penn State defensive finish Abdul Carter), Patriots (LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell), Jaguars (Michigan defensive deal with Mason Graham), Raiders (Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty) and Jets (Missouri offensive deal with Armand Membou).
It would take a commerce to shake up the draft. Listed below are three groups that might add fireworks to the primary spherical.
New Orleans Saints (5-12)
2025 draft capital: 1-9 • 2-40 • 3-71 • 3-93 • 4-112 • 4-131 • 6-184 • 7-248 • 7-254
Proposed commerce: 1-9, 3-93, 4-131 to the JETS for 1-7, 5-145
The Saints want a quarterback after final week’s report that 2025 projected starter Derek Carr has a shoulder harm that might power him to overlook the season. If the draft goes in keeping with plan, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, broadly considered because the No. 2 quarterback on this yr’s class, will likely be out there when the Panthers decide one spot forward of New Orleans at No. 8.
To keep away from a situation the place they’re leapfrogged for Sanders, the Saints might make a modest transfer two spots up the draft by agreeing to a commerce with the Jets.
Our proposed commerce mirrors New York’s 2024 commerce with Minnesota, wherein the Vikings despatched the No. 11 general decide, a 2024 fourth-round decide (No. 129), and a 2024 fifth-round decide (No. 157) to the Jets for No. 10 general and a 2024 sixth-round decide (No. 203).
New York drops two spots within the first spherical in our proposed commerce whereas transferring up two within the second and 31 on Day 3, gaining 5 factors in draft capital in keeping with Over The Cap’s Fitzgerald-Spielberger NFL Draft trade value chart.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
2025 draft capital: 1-21, 3-83, 4-123, 5-156, 6-185, 7-229
Proposed commerce: 1-21, 3-83, 5-156 to the Panthers for 1-8, 4-111
Per NFL Draft IQ, the Steelers usually tend to commerce again than transfer up, but when New Orleans would not snag Sanders earlier than the Panthers decide, they might be inclined to drag the set off on a large deal.
Pittsburgh wants a quarterback. Whereas Aaron Rodgers stays an choice, Sanders can doubtlessly grow to be a long-term answer. With Rodgers, the Steelers will seemingly seek for a quarterback once more subsequent offseason.
The Panthers would add a decide to their 2025 arsenal, giving them 10 picks within the 2025 draft.
In accordance with Draft IQ, they’re most definitely to draft a defensive lineman (39 p.c), linebacker (30 p.c), or large receiver (12 p.c) within the first spherical. The Panthers ought to have wonderful selections on the three positions in the event that they transfer again to No. 21. Per ESPN Analytics Draft Day Predictor, Tennessee edge James Pearce Jr., Ohio State large receiver Emeka Egbuka, and UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger are among the many gamers who’re prone to be out there at No. 21, giving Carolina ample high quality choices to select from even after dropping 13 spots.
New England Patriots (4-13)
2025 draft capital: 1-4 • 2-38 • 3-69 • 3-77 • 4-106 • 5-144 • 7-217 • 7-220 • 7-238
Proposed commerce: 2-38, 3-77, 5-144 to the VIKINGS for 1-24, 2026 fourth-round decide
Whereas New England would possibly need to commerce out of the No. 4 spot, they need to as an alternative think about a commerce into the back-end of the primary spherical.
Quarterback Drake Maye is an ascending star, and this could be yr so as to add two constructing blocks beneath contract for the following 5 seasons.
New England should nonetheless encompass Maye with skill-position weapons if it selects offensive lineman Will Campbell at No. 4. Somebody like three-year junior Missouri wideout Luther Burden III (6-feet, 206 kilos), Sports Info Solutions‘ No. 17 general prospect, is prone to be out there at No. 24 however needs to be off the board by the point New England is on the clock in Spherical 2.
With per week till the primary spherical, Minnesota ranks final in 2025 draft capital, possessing 4 picks, together with simply two (No. 24, No. 97) within the prime 100.
The Vikings would seemingly relish replenishing their draft inventory whereas solely parting with one in every of their eight picks in 2026.
