Top Team Candidates To Trade Down In The First Round of The 2025 NFL Draft

April 13, 2025

Which teams might trade down in the 2025 NFL Draft? Joey analyzes four teams who might look to trade down in the first round to acquire additional assets.

Four teams traded down from their original first-round pick during the 2024 NFL Draft. The Jets moved back one spot from No. 10 to No. 11, the Jaguars went back six spots from No. 17 to No. 23, the Cowboys moved down five spots from No. 24 to No. 29, and the Bills traded back twice, going from No. 28 to No. 32 to No. 33. 

Teams like the idea of trading down in the draft because of the additional assets they could acquire. Just look at what the Cowboys did by trading back in the first round of last year's draft. They moved back five spots in the first round and added an early third-round pick.

So, which teams could trade down in the 2025 NFL Draft? Let's dive in and look at four teams that might move off their original first-round pick. 

Cleveland Browns 

The Cleveland Browns have plenty to weigh leading up to the NFL Draft. Assuming Cameron Ward goes No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans, the Browns could select quarterback Shedeur Sanders, wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, or edge rusher Abdul Carter. However, there's also a chance that Cleveland chooses to trade down in the draft to acquire additional picks. 

NFL insider Josina Anderson states that the Browns are "potentially open to trading back." While this could be smoke, it could come to fruition with a quarterback-needy team looking to trade up. The New York Giants could move up one spot to ensure they get Sanders in the draft, or the New York Jets could move up five spots to select the best pass rusher in the class. 

The agent getting this deal for Russell Wilson, given the market circumstances, is good work.

On the flip side, with Jameis Winston already on the roster at his cost & the upcoming Draft, it feels like a panic move by the #Giants, especially given what I just heard today… https://t.co/jYIvFnnwrc

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 25, 2025

With the Browns in a tough financial spot, the team might be more willing to trade down. They would likely get a haul for that pick, and it could set them up nicely for the future. This scenario will probably be talked about more as we get closer to the draft, but it is certainly a possibility for Cleveland, considering all the needs this team has entering the 2025-2026 season. 

Jacksonville Jaguars 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have traded down in each of the past two drafts. In 2023, Jacksonville traded down from No. 24 to No. 25, then again from No. 25 to No. 27. Trading down twice earned the Jaguars three extra picks (fourth-round, fifth-round, and seventh-round) in that draft. Last year, the team traded back from No. 17 to No. 23, which helped them land Brian Thomas Jr. and three extra picks. 

As a result, the Jaguars could follow suit for a third straight year. They currently own the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the team could continue to add more picks to its disposal. With 10 picks set for the draft- including two third-round picks, two fourth-round picks, and two sixth-round picks- Jacksonville is already in a great spot. 

Whether the Jaguars trade out of that early pick will depend on their needs. They have been linked to Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, but if the team trades out of that spot, there's a good chance he doesn't wind up with them. Graham is the third-best defensive player in the draft behind Carter and Hunter. Still, recent history suggests that Jacksonville could be eyeing another trade back. 

A monster in the middle.@UMichFootball DT Mason Graham is ranked No. 4 on @MoveTheSticks' Top 50 Prospects for a reason 😤

📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/700CZoOJxj

— NFL (@NFL) March 30, 2025

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have lost a ton of important pieces this offseason. Some of those players included wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, cornerback Charvarius Ward, and guard Aaron Banks. Therefore, the 49ers have more needs to fill than people might have anticipated entering the draft. 

Nonetheless, San Francisco is still in a great position to move back a few spots to acquire additional assets. The 49ers have done a fantastic job of finding hidden talent in the middle-to-late rounds of drafts in recent years, and they could add more picks on Day 2 and Day 3 by trading down from their No. 11 overall pick. 

If there is a player the 49ers are in love with when they are on the clock, they likely won't move off that pick. With no clear need, San Francisco could be looking to trade down in the first round. Teams like the Indianapolis Colts (No. 14), Atlanta Falcons (No. 15), and Seattle Seahawks (No. 18) could be some teams looking to move up to fill some bigger needs. 

Dallas Cowboys 

Like the Jaguars, the Dallas Cowboys have been known to trade back in recent years. They have traded down in two of the past four drafts, which included moving back from No. 10 to No. 12 in the 2021 NFL Draft. Given that Dallas has another high pick in this year's draft, look for them to potentially move off that No. 12 overall pick. 

The Cowboys could use more picks on Day 2 and Day 3, as there's a point in the draft where Dallas goes 73 picks between selections. Their last pick in Round 3 is 76th overall, and their next pick doesn't come until pick No. 149 in Round 5. That's a long time without picking, so the team might be more willing to trade down in the first round. 

Both Daniel Jeremiah and Mel Kiper mentioned/mocked Omarion Hampton to the #Cowboys at No. 12 today.

Something to consider.

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 18, 2025

Even if the Cowboys move back a few spots in the draft, they'll indeed have the opportunity to draft one of the top players in the class. Dallas has been linked to running back Omarion Hampton and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in recent mock drafts, and both players could still be available in the middle of the first round. 

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