Bold Predictions for 2025 NFL Draft from Bleacher Report Staff
It's NFL draft week, and analysts are finalizing their projections. Meanwhile, Bleacher Report's staff took a bold approach with its takes.
After all, we know mock drafts aren't 100 percent accurate. So why not take big swings on predictions?
Analysts Gary Davenport, Brad Gagnon, Kris Knox, Brent Sobleski and Moe Moton teamed up with scouts Matt Holder, Damian Parson and Brandon Thorn to come up with strong thoughts on an array of draft topics, from surprising picks and trades to the biggest sleeper in the 2025 class.
Will there be a surprise No. 2 quarterback? Could we see an active trade market after the top half of the first round? Who will be the first wide receiver off the board?
Our panel has answers to all those questions and more with B/R's bold predictions.
Most Surprising Pick
1 of 5
Davenport: Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty to the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1.05
Gagnon: Las Vegas Raiders select QB Shedeur Sanders sixth overall
You don't see it a lot in mock drafts now, as Sanders' stock has dropped and the team has obviously addressed the quarterback position via trade for Geno Smith.
I still don't think the franchise can help itself, and I don't totally blame it in this case. At least this is a risk outside of the top five, and I think Las Vegas knows deep down that Smith is realistically a bridge quarterback. It would be SO Raiders to take this chance and become the jaw-droppers of the draft.
Holder: Emeka Egbuka is WR1
Knox: New Orleans Saints Reach for QB Jaxson Dart at No. 9
Moton: San Francisco 49ers draft RB Omarion Hampton at No. 11
Parson: WR Tetairoa McMillan to Raiders at No. 6
Sobleski: New York Giants select Shedeur Sanders with the third overall pick
Despite the Giants bringing in a pair of veteran quarterbacks with extensive starting experience, the organization still isn't entirely sold on the team's quarterback room or the idea of waiting another year before addressing the game's most important position with a potential long-term option.
Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston aren't even Band-Aids at this point in their careers. They're the equivalent of rubbing some dirt on a broken leg and hoping an individual is still capable of playing.
Sure, the situation will be entertaining. But the Giants aren't better with either in the lineup. Instead, ownership gets involved and has the team pull the trigger on Sanders to give the Giants what they believe is their next franchise quarterback.
Thorn: The 49ers select OL Will Campbell at pick 11
Biggest Draft-Day Trade
2 of 5
Davenport: Atlanta Falcons trade up for Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter
Gagnon: The Carolina Panthers trade into the top three for Abdul Carter
Holder: Saints move up for a QB
Knox: Chargers trade up to No. 13 for a tight end
This might not seem like a massive draft-day trade, but this could be the biggest move we see on opening night. I don't expect any of the top three selections to be traded, and I won't be shocked if no teams are willing to trade out of the top 10.
There seems to be a lack of consensus about who the "top" prospects are after players like Travis Hunter, Carter and Mason Graham, and I think many teams will be willing to stay put and secure "their guy" early in Round 1.
I don't think there's a difference between Player 10 and Player 40 in this draft," one executive told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
There's some drop-off on the B/R Scouting Department's board, but the gap between Armand Membou (10th overall, 8.2 grade) and Mason Taylor (40th, 7.7 grade) isn't massive.
A nine-spot jump by the Chargers could be what qualifies as this year's stunner, and I could see L.A. making the move to get its preferred tight end—likely either Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren. Jim Harbaugh's teams have regularly featured strong tight end play, and the current tandem of Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin is solid but not particularly dynamic.
The Dolphins, who, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, are expected to explore a Jalen Ramsey trade, could be willing to maneuver around the draft for added capital. Moving to 13 would allow the Chargers to jump Indianapolis—another likely landing spot for a pass-catching tight end.
Moton: Las Vegas Raiders trade back into 1st Round for QB Shedeur Sanders
Appearing on ESPN's NFL Live, Adam Schefter gave a wide range of landing spots for Shedeur Sanders.
If Sanders falls into the back end of the first round, teams like the Raiders, who have their starting quarterback but need a long-term answer at the position, could be interested in moving up for him.
On some draft boards, Sanders may be the No. 2 quarterback. Remember, Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is his mentor. So, he would have a strong support system in Las Vegas.
Geno Smith is the Raiders' short-term starter on a three-year deal, with guaranteed money for only two terms. Las Vegas can address a pressing need with the No. 6 pick and then draft for the future by moving up for Sanders.
If Sanders falls into the 20s, the Raiders would likely have to give up a second-rounder and a late-round pick to pull off a trade, but the standout signal-caller who won 2024 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year is worth the gamble.
Parson: New York Giants trading up for QB Jalen Milroe
Sobleski: The Cleveland Browns trade back into the first round to get their new franchise quarterback
Thorn: Philadelphia Eagles trade up into the top 20 to select Alabama RG Tyler Booker
Biggest Steal of the Draft
3 of 5
Davenport: Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins
Gagnon: Jalon Walker, who can do anything you ask of him and might drop out of the top 10 for exactly that reason
Holder: LB Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Knox: WR Kyle Williams, Washington State
Moton: LB Barrett Carter, Clemson
Parson: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College
In a draft where the quality of talent and depth have been questioned at the offensive tackle position, Ozzy Trapilo will be the biggest steal. Trapilo has an elite combination of size, length, and movement skills. Teams needing to upgrade the OT position do not have to draft one of the consensus top guys in Round 1. Instead, draft the best player available and snag Trapilo on Day 2, with his developmental upside being high.
Sobleski: TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Thorn: Middlebury IOL Thomas Perry
Rather than going with a player guaranteed to be drafted somewhere in the first 100 or 150 picks, I'm going with a deeper cut with Division III Middlebury guard Thomas Perry.
Perry participated in the Shrine Bowl where he repped at center for the first time in his career, showing improvement as the week progressed, relying on excellent natural leverage, play strength and heavy hands.
Perry is also a very good athlete who dominated at Middlebury but was an under-the-radar combine snub largely due to his lack of exposure. Perry is raved about among his coaches and trainers as a physical specimen with off-the-chart intangibles that indicate a steal in this draft, especially if a team can select him in Rounds 6 or 7 and especially the undrafted pool.
Hottest Draft Take
4 of 5
Davenport: The Cleveland Browns should trade down from 1.02—but won't
Gagnon: Despite all of the valid concerns surrounding him, Shedeur Sanders is absolutely worth the risk in the middle of the first round
The potential reward is high enough for most teams drafting outside of the top five.
Holder: More RBs and TEs go in Round 1 than QBs and WRs
It's no secret that this year's quarterback class is weak. While Cam Ward is a virtual lock to go No. 1 overall and many expect Shedeur Sanders to get drafted in the first round, maybe Jaxson Dart as well, it wouldn't be surprising to see a similar scenario as the 2022 draft play out on Thursday night.
The 2022 crop of signal-callers was also underwhelming, and while plenty of mock drafts had Malik Willis and Desmond Ridder getting drafted in Round 1, Kenny Pickett ended up being the only quarterback taken on Day 1. In other words, it's conceivable that Ward is the lone first-round QB this year.
The wide receiver class is in a similar boat. Tetairoa McMillan appears to be the consensus WR1 but struggles to separate and seems to be losing some draft buzz as the weeks go on. While Matthew Golden has picked up steam with his 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, he doesn't have the tape to match that speed, and there aren't many first-round caliber wideouts in general.
Meanwhile, the running back and tight end classes are loaded. Ashton Jeanty seems like a lock to go top 10 (or higher), Omarion Hampton could be a mid-to-late first-round pick and TreVeyon Henderson has picked up some steam lately.
At tight end, Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren could easily be Day 1 selections, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Elijah Arroyo and/or Mason Taylor sneak into the back end of Round 1.
While running back and tight end are typically considered "low value" positions, especially compared to quarterback and wide receiver, 2025 feels like it has the potential to be a weird draft where teams prioritize good football players over reaching for high-value positions.
Knox: Cam Ward won't be the most successful quarterback from the 2025 class
Moton: Las Vegas Raiders will finish Round 1 with Ashton Jeanty and Shedeur Sanders
The Raiders can help Geno Smith and draft his understudy on Day 1.
According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, Las Vegas has "fallen in love" with Ashton Jeanty. He also noted that one executive believes it's a foregone conclusion that the Raiders take him.
Even if that's the case, the Raiders can still make a move for Sanders if he falls to the deep end of the first round.
As explained in the biggest draft-day trade, Las Vegas can offer up a second-rounder and a late-round pick to a team that picks in the 20s to move up for Sanders.
In this scenario, the Raiders would hit a home run with a workhorse running back and their potential franchise quarterback to take over for Smith in the next few years.
Parson: Travis Hunter should NOT play both sides in the NFL; focus on developing at his primary position
Sobleski: Travis Hunter is NOT a generational talent. He's a unique talent who plays both ways, and he should be limited to primarily (not entirely) playing on one side of the ball
Thorn: This will be just the third time since 2012 that four or fewer offensive linemen will be drafted in the first round
Off-the-Wall Prediction
5 of 5
Davenport: Four QBs will be drafted in Round 1
This might not be an especially off-the-wall prediction. But while Miami's Cam Ward is fully expected to be the first overall pick in the 2025 draft, the class under center as a whole isn't especially well-regarded.
Still, there are just too many NFL teams who need a quarterback, and a hole at that position gives NFL general managers jitters. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders won't make it out of the top 10 when the New Orleans Saints take him ninth overall. Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss will go to Pittsburgh at No. 21 and the Cleveland Browns will trade back into Round 1 to snare Alabama's Jalen Milroe.
Gagnon: Ashton Jeanty drops into the bottom half of Round 1
Holder: 49ers draft a QB in the first two rounds
Knox: We see more trades in the last 10 slots of Round 1 than in the top 10
Moton: Jalen Milroe will be the second quarterback drafted
Neither Shedeur Sanders nor Jaxson Dart will attend the draft. That's not a clear indication that they fall out of the first round, but it's worth noting that Jalen Milroe will be there in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Milroe's willingness to attend the draft indicates that he expects a team to pick him in the early rounds.
Through the pre-draft process, analysts have projected Dart to be a borderline first-round pick. If Sanders slips into the back end of the first round, it leaves room for a quarterback-needy team to trade up for Milroe over the Colorado product.
With pick No. 21, the Steelers could take a quarterback who would battle Mason Rudolph for the starting job.
From the media's outlook, Sanders' stock has taken a hit while Milroe's is on the rise, which could translate to a surprise No. 2 quarterback in the draft order.
Parson: More edge rushers will be drafted than running backs between nights one and two
Sobleski: Jalen Milroe can be a true franchise quarterback IF an organization commits to building around his impressive athletic profile
Thorn: Josh Simmons is drafted inside the top 12 of the first round
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