Predicting What the Top 5 Picks of 2025 NFL Draft Will Be vs. What They Should Be

Looking back on NFL draft history, a series of "what ifs" emerge.

What if the Cleveland Browns choose Josh Allen instead of Baker Mayfield atop the 2018 NFL draft? What if the New York Giants didn't trade down in the first round after missing out on DeVonta Smith in 2021 and selected Micah Parsons? What if the New England Patriots chose Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 draft to serve as Tom Brady's successor?

The possibilities are more expansive than the returning superhero cast members already announced for Avengers: Doomsday.

Each of the organizations mentioned currently owns a top-five pick in this year's class. While hope always springs eternal around the draft, each of those selections will be questioned, because this year's class doesn't include any slam-dunk choices, even at the No. 1 overall spot.

The Tennessee Titans are on the clock and their choice does seem obvious. It probably is. But the player in question isn't considered a "generational talent" and few other prospects are generally rated higher, which means they will always be compared when discussing whatever happens at the top.

1. Tennessee Titans

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What the Titans should do: Draft Miami quarterback Cam Ward

With less than month before commissioner Roger Goodell takes the stage in Green Bay, Wisconsin and announces the opening of the 2025 NFL draft, Tennessee should be nearing the point where it has a strong indication of who is going to be its selection with the No. 1 overall pick.

Cam Ward is the obvious choice, because the Titans don't have a legitimate starting quarterback option and have done nothing to address the position.

"He's an impressive young man and we're excited," head coach Brian Callahan told reporters when asked about the possibility of Tennessee selecting Ward. "But we've got to get through the rest of the process."

The reigning ACC Player of the Year is the class' QB1, and he has outstanding arm talent and is a natural playmaker. He has the ability to immediately step into the Titans lineup and provide them with a long-term future at the game's most important position.

What the Titans will do: Draft Miami quarterback Cam Ward

When it's all said and done, the Titans should take the logical approach. No position in football is more important than quarterback. The idea of moving forward without one in place is simply trying to swim upstream against raging rapids.

Colorado's Shedeur Sanders may come in play as another QB, though Ward is a more natural playmaker.

Colorado's Travis Hunter, Penn State's Abdul Carter and Michigan's Mason Graham are the class' highest-rated prospects, but their respective positional values and possible impact aren't nearly as great.

Ward may not be a unanimous choice at No. 1, but he's still viewed as good enough to be the first overall pick.

2. Cleveland Browns

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Penn State edge-defender Abdul Carter

What the Browns should do: Draft Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam all but admitted to reporters at the annual NFL owners meeting that the team is done with quarterback Deshaun Watson.

While Watson's presence—specifically his contract—will continue to loom large over the organization, the team can finally take the next steps to move on from the disastrous trade that basically ruined Cleveland's last three seasons.

As the owner of this year's second overall pick and with a crying need at quarterback, the choice should be obvious. Sanders will likely be the best available signal-caller on the board, and he should be the pick.

It's easy to argue other prospects are more highly rated and Cleveland wants to remain competitive while rebuilding on the fly, but the opportunity to address quarterback and potentially add a long-term solution at a position that has long-plagued the Browns will be there this year.

Sanders is different compared to Ward. The former is more of a facilitator and distributor, who has uncanny accuracy when working in rhythm. He could thrive in Kevin Stefanski's QB-friendly offensive scheme.

Despite everything that's gone wrong, the Browns still have an opportunity to select a possible franchise quarterback and should do so without thinking twice.

What the Browns will do: Draft Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter

Despite the glaring need Cleveland again has behind center, the front office appears to have eyes for another prospect.

"Well, Cleveland does need to take a quarterback," ESPN's Adam Schefter said during an interview on Get Up, "but it certainly feels like they have visions of matching Abdul Carter with Myles Garrett and unleashing that tandem against the rest of that division, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson and the rest of that division, whoever plays quarterback in Pittsburgh, maybe Aaron Rodgers."

The Browns seemingly want to build their identity around their defense, specifically Myles Garrett. He and Carter would form a hellacious duo. But Kenny Pickett isn't getting it done at quarterback.

Even if the team eventually acquires Kirk Cousins, last season's performance should give everyone pause when discussing the soon-to-be 37-year-old veteran.

Still, Cleveland has aspirations of a possible return to the postseason, and general manager Andrew Berry and Stefanski can't endure another disappointing campaign. So, the Browns take a different path.

3. New York Giants

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Colorado's cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter

What the Giants should do: Draft a quarterback if one remains on the board

As with the Titans and Browns before them, the Giants are another quarterback-desperate team with no long-term solution at the game's most important position.

To be fair, Big Blue's front office has tried to mitigate the situation by bringing in experienced veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. While those two playing together should be entertaining as all get-out, neither is the answer beyond 2025 (and maybe not even for the upcoming season).

If the Browns decide to pass on a quarterback, as they do in the previous scenario, the Giants will have a decision to make. With the expectation that Sanders will be the one on the board, they can pounce.

ESPN's Adam Schefter previously speculated New York would still select Sanders even after the Giants signed Wilson to join Winston. He said: "I don't think it changes anything."

What the Giants will do: Draft reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter

The fact that general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are clearly on the hot seat entering the 2025 campaign could stir things up a bit after two straight years on a downward trajectory.

Hunter is the class' best player. He's a unique talent capable of helping the Giants in multiple areas, even if he's primarily concentrating on one position for the first time in his football career.

He will generate excitement within the fanbase and provide a superstar quality the team has lacked since peak Odell Beckham Jr.

No one can fault the Giants for taking Hunter, especially after addressing the quarterback position with known qualities (good and bad).

4. New England Patriots

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LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell

What the Patriots Should Do: Draft Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan

Everything the Patriots do as they move forward is built around the concept of maximizing what the franchise has in last year's third overall draft pick, quarterback Drake Maye.

The organization has done a nice job investing its massive amount of salary-cap space and upgrading the squad's overall talent, though the biggest signings came on the defensive side of the ball.

Offensively, the Patriots still need significant help.

Last year, New England fielded the league's worst skill positions. The team did bring in Stefon Diggs, but a veteran who turns 32 before the end of the year and is coming off a torn ACL shouldn't sway New England from taking a wide receiver this high in the process.

Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan is a future WR1 and legitimate X-receiver. While a strong argument can (and will) be made in favor of an offensive lineman, McMillan is this year's top wide receiver, with the frame (6'4", 219 lbs) to immediately serve as a downfield threat and security blanket.

Take a look around the league. The value of a top wide receiver is at an all-time high, with 12 targets already signed to deals worth 90 million or more. Wide receiver is now a premium position.

The Patriots can double-back in the second round and possibly target Ohio State's Josh Simmons, Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr. or Minnesota's Aireonte Ersery as their future left tackle, depending on who is available.

What the Patriots Will Do: Draft LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell

Mike Vrabel is who he is, and the new Patriots head coach will want to build through the trenches.

New England does have a glaring hole at left tackle. As mentioned, it can wait until Day 2 to address the issue. Instead, it's more likely to snag Campbell, who is the class' top-ranked offensive-line prospect.

He stepped onto LSU's campus and become an immediate starter for a legitimate pipeline program as a true freshman.

Regarding the Patriots, the 21-year-old presents a physical play-style that should appeal to Vrabel. He shouldn't have any problem stepping into New England's lineup and solidifying the starting front five.

This particular selection may not be sexy, but Campbell does fit the direction in which the Patriots are likely going.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Michigan cornerback Will Johnson

What the Jaguars should do: Draft Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham

Jacksonville's selection should be relatively simple: Is one of this year's elite prospects still available and how quickly can it select them?

Michigan's Mason Graham is a top-three prospect in this year's class. He's a potential game-wrecker along the defensive interior. His inclusion will help make the team's investments on the ends, Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, more effective.

A lot of thought really shouldn't go into this pick if Graham is available.

Obviously, the Jaguars will need some help in front of them, probably with two quarterbacks being selected and the Patriots going in a different direction. Among the previously discussed scenarios, Graham is a legitimate option.

Yes, the Jaguars continue to pump money and draft picks into their defensive front. Yet the team desperately needs an infusion of talent in general after severely disappointing during the 2024 season.

No other available prospect brings more to the table than the 21-year-old unanimous All-American.

What the Jaguars will do: Draft Michigan cornerback Will Johnson

Johnson's selection isn't a terrible choice at all. Had the cornerback not dealt with injuries during his final season on campus, he probably would have cemented his status as a top-five draft pick.

First, the Jaguars may not be eager to reinvest in their defensive line, at least this early in the process.

"I think ultimately, you're looking to add some competition in there," head coach Liam Coen told reporters. "We've got some really good players down there. I think we've got three first-rounders on our defensive line currently.

"Three guys that are going to have some good years, hopefully. They're hoping to elevate that room. We'll continue to evaluate it, but absolutely, you're looking to add somebody to the D-line however that thing plays out, inside or outside."

Second, Jacksonville must improve upon last year's 32nd-ranked pass defense. A healthy Johnson likely helps more on the back end, at least immediately, than another body added to the defensive front.