Joey Pollizze's 7 Bold Predictions for the 2025 NFL Draft - 1st Round Analysis

April 15, 2025

Joey's 7 bold predictions for the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Read his predictions for the 2025 NFL Draft for Tyler Warren, Omarion Hampton, and more.

There are always things that catch us by surprise in the draft. Last year, no one expected the Atlanta Falcons to take Michael Penix Jr. or the Las Vegas Raiders to select Brock Bowers in the middle of the first round. Even in 2023, the Houston Texans traded for the third overall pick to give them two of the first three picks in the draft. 

As a result, we should assume that crazier stuff will happen in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The madness could start immediately with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants owning the top three picks. 

So, let's dive into seven bold predictions for the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

The New York Giants Trade Up For A QB

The New York Giants have been active in free agency recently, especially trying to upgrade their quarterback room. They added both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and Wilson is now expected to be the team's starting quarterback next season. However, New York probably isn't done adding quarterbacks to its roster. 

Wilson is only on a one-year deal, and the veteran will be entering his age-37 season. Therefore, the Giants could still be aggressive in the draft to find their franchise quarterback. That could be the case, as the team trades up one spot with the Cleveland Browns to select Shedeur Sanders with the second overall pick.

INTERESTING. 🤔

Adam Schefter links Shedeur Sanders to the New York Giants.

Per: @AdamSchefter

“There’s been a lot of smoke and a lot of connections for Shedeur Sanders to New York. He’s been raised to kind of perform with the bright lights and the big city and I could… pic.twitter.com/a3ugL4zjkJ

— Savage (@SavageSports_) March 25, 2025

If the Giants do not make this move, they might not have the opportunity to select Cameron Ward or Sanders in the draft. The Titans and Browns could take both quarterbacks with the first two picks. So, New York offers Cleveland a deal they can't refuse, and they find their franchise quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

The New York Jets Select Tyler Warren 

The New York Jets have plenty of needs entering the upcoming draft. They could use another wide receiver after releasing Davante Adams, add to their offensive line following a poor season from that group, or find a replacement for cornerback D.J. Reed. However, the Jets elect to go elsewhere and take Penn State tight end Tyler Warren at No. 7 overall. 

The last tight end to go in the top 10 was Kyle Pitts back during the 2021 NFL Draft. Even though that selection didn't quite work out for the Falcons, Warren is a perfect fit for the Jets. He would immediately emerge as a top option in this offense, and quarterback Justin Fields loves to target tight ends in the passing game. 

When Fields was the quarterback of the Bears, tight end Cole Kmet had two strong seasons in 2022 and 2023. He caught a combined 123 catches for 1,263 yards and 13 touchdowns in those two years. Given that the Jets need another playmaker on offense, Warren could be the selection at No. 7 overall. The Penn State product caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns in his final college season. 

The New Orleans Saints Find Their Franchise Quarterback

The New Orleans Saints are in a tough spot entering the 2025-2026 season. They haven't spent much money in free agency, and quarterback Derek Carr is on the older side at 34 years old. In addition, Carr has just two years left on his four-year, $150 million deal that he signed before the 2023 season. As a result, the Saints will select their franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart at No. 9 overall.

Dart has risen draft boards since the NFL Combine and should almost certainly be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Ole Miss product has firmly established himself as QB3 in this year's draft class, only behind Ward and Sanders. So, a quarterback-needy team like the Saints could take him earlier than expected. 

While Dart still has much growing to do as a quarterback, this landing spot could help with his development. He would sit for a few years before eventually becoming the Saints' quarterback. After throwing for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 2024, New Orleans is a sneaky team to select him in the top 10. 

The Dallas Cowboys Settle For The RB2 In The Class 

The Dallas Cowboys have prioritized their needs in the first round of drafts in recent years. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith might not have been the top player on Dallas' draft board in 2023, but the team needed a player who could stop the run. Last year, Dallas selected Tyler Guyton in the first round to essentially replace Tyron Smith. 

Therefore, the team could upgrade its running back group with the 12th overall pick. If Ashton Jeanty is available here, Dallas will likely be all over him with its selection. However, it's hard to imagine Jeanty getting past the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 and the Chicago Bears at No. 10. That means the Cowboys could settle for North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with this pick.

Omarion Hampton confirms he had a Formal Meeting with the Dallas Cowboys:

“Yessir. It was amazing just to get to know those guys.. to get to know those coaches and everything, it was real good.”

The Cowboys earliest selections in the 2025 NFL Draft?

12th and 44th Overall.. pic.twitter.com/Z9D7h4MnUr

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) March 11, 2025

Even though Dallas added both Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders this offseason, Hampton would be a game-changer for this offense. The North Carolina product ran for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final college season and has emerged as the RB2 in this year's draft class. By drafting him, the Cowboys would have their RB1 of the future. 

The First Wideout Doesn't Come Off The Board Until Pick No. 20 

Many draft analysts have said this wide receiver class is not as strong as in years past. Although this class still features potential stars like Tetairoa McMillan, Matthew Golden, Tre Harris, and Luther Burden, it might be a while until we see the first wideout off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

As a matter of fact, we won't see the first one selected until the Denver Broncos are on the clock at No. 20 overall. The Broncos could certainly use another talented wide receiver in their offense, and McMillan could be a possible selection for them in the first round.

The Arizona product caught 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns in his final college season. 

It's hard to really envision how the draft will play out, but this wide receiver class isn't getting a lot of love. Even though McMillan will likely be the first wideout selected in April's draft, it might be a while until he hears his name called.

We could see a similar wide receiver run like in 2023, when Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers, and Jordan Addison were all drafted consecutively from pick No. 20 through pick No. 23. 

The Green Bay Packers Trade Away Their Pick For A Stud WR

We have seen this same scenario play out before, and it could happen again during the 2025 NFL Draft. Back on draft night in 2022, the Tennessee Titans traded A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 18th overall pick and a third-round pick. The Titans then used that first-round pick to replace Brown and selected Treylon Burks. 

This time, the Green Bay Packers will trade for superstar wide receiver Garrett Wilson from the New York Jets. The Packers desperately need a WR1 in their offense, and Wilson is entering the final year of his rookie contract. While the Jets could extend his fifth-year option, a trade is not totally out of the question.

With a new general manager (Darren Mougey) and a new head coach (Aaron Glenn), these two might want to bring in their own players to help fix the culture. Although losing Wilson would obviously hurt the Jets' offense, they could turn around and take a wide receiver with that 23rd overall pick they would get from the Packers. 

The Philadelphia Eagles Find Their Dallas Goedert Replacement 

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert has been involved in trade rumors recently. Goedert is entering the final year of his four-year contract, and the Eagles can't afford to pay him. So, there's a strong chance the veteran will be traded before the new season. Nevertheless, Philadelphia finds his replacement in the draft.

The Eagles move up from pick No. 32 and select tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns in his final college campaign, averaging 10.4 yards per reception. Given how well the Michigan product looked during that season, he is the clear TE2 in this year's draft class. 

#Eagles GM Howie Roseman on the future of TE Dallas Goedert, who is reportedly on the trade market:

"There's no update. Obviously, Dallas has been a tremendous player and person for us. ... The opportunities that we got into free agency with [TEs] Harrison Bryant and [Kylen]…

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 31, 2025

Now, if Philadelphia wants any chance at selecting Loveland, the team will likely need to move up in the draft. CBS Sports has Loveland ranked as the 15th overall prospect on their big board. If the Eagles stay put, though, don't be surprised if they reach for tight end Elijah Arroyo from Miami (FL).

Arroyo could fit perfectly in that offense. 

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