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Mike Fanelli provides nine bold predictions for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. Which players could get selected earlier or later than anticipated? Read the expert NFL Draft analysis.
The 2025 NFL Draft is nearly here. Every year, the NFL Draft has at least one surprising moment where a team makes a move no one saw coming.
Sometimes, a team drafts a quarterback when no one expected it to happen. Last year, the Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. after signing Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in free agency a month earlier.
What will happen this year? While they all won’t happen, let’s look at nine bold predictions for the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Jaxson Dart Gets Drafted Before Shedeur Sanders
Everyone expects Cameron Ward to be the first quarterback drafted and the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Sanders’ draft range is from the Cleveland Browns at second overall to the end of the first round. The former Colorado star took a visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers, suggesting his agent believes Sanders could last until the 21st overall pick.
Meanwhile, Dart’s draft stock is on the rise. The former Ole Miss star went from a likely Day 2 pick to a near first-round lock. More importantly, he could get drafted before Sanders. Dart has spent significant time with the New York Giants. Furthermore, he has had visits with the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders. Don’t be surprised if the Giants or Browns trade up from the second round into the teens to take Dart.
Sources: Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart visited today with the Cleveland Browns, and will next fly to Las Vegas to visit the Raiders, sources tell me and @FieldYates.
Dart also has spent “considerable time” during this interview process with the Giants, Saints and Rams. pic.twitter.com/M6rY1SLGkl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 8, 2025
Three Running Backs Are Drafted in the First Round
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is a lock to be the first running back selected and a likely top-10 pick. The earlier he gets drafted, the more likely North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton comes off the board in the top 20 selections. The Las Vegas Raiders at sixth overall, the Chicago Bears at 10th overall, and the Dallas Cowboys at 12th overall are potential landing spots for the two elite running back prospects.
If Jeanty goes sixth or 10th overall and Hampton gets drafted by the Cowboys with the 12th pick, we will likely see a third running back selected on the first night of the NFL Draft. The Denver Broncos at 20th overall, the Pittsburgh Steelers at 21st, and the Washington Commanders at 29th could consider taking one of the Ohio State running backs. If there is a run early, there will be three running backs drafted in the first round.
Tetairoa McMillan is the Third Wide Receiver Drafted
Almost everyone agrees that Travis Hunter would be the No. 1 wide receiver in the draft class if he were playing the position full-time. However, there are various opinions on the top wide receiver in the draft class outside of the former Colorado star. While some believe McMillan is still the top pass-catcher in the class, others believe the former Arizona star could slip out of the first round of the draft.
While nothing can be ruled out, McMillan should be a first-round pick. However, I believe he could be the third wide receiver drafted this year because of Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka. Some are concerned about McMillan’s speed and lack of interest in watching film. Meanwhile, others think Golden is the clear-cut top wide receiver in the draft class.
𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Texas star WR Matthew Golden has accepted an invitation to attend the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, per @dpbrugler
Many believe Golden is the WR1 in the draft. pic.twitter.com/TzUyCTjghQ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 7, 2025
Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland Aren’t the Only Day 1 Tight Ends
The 2025 NFL Draft class has several outstanding tight-end prospects. Warren and Loveland are first-round locks and likely top-20 picks, with at least one potentially coming off the board in the top 10. However, five other tight ends should be top 100 picks, including two who could sneak into the late first round. Miami’s Elijah Arroyo and LSU’s Mason Taylor are two rising prospects.
While neither will be first-round picks this year, don’t be surprised if one of them sneaks into the late Day 1 mix. Arroyo and Taylor are far from finished products, with significant long-term upside. The Los Angeles Rams (26th overall), Baltimore Ravens (27th), Kansas City Chiefs (31st), and Philadelphia Eagles (32nd overall) could draft a tight end in the first round.
Six Offensive Tackles Get Drafted on Day 1
Offensive line play across the NFL has slipped over the past few years. While this year’s class doesn’t have an elite prospect like Joe Alt from last year’s group, there are several Day 1 starting offensive tackles in the 2025 NFL Draft. Will Campbell could be a top-5 pick after his arms measured 33 inches at his pro day. Meanwhile, Armand Membou and Kelvin Banks Jr. should be top-10 selections.
Down at LSU Pro Day, OT Will Campbell just checked in with a 33” arm length.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 26, 2025
However, that won’t be the end of the offensive tackle run during the opening night of the draft. Josh Simmons, Josh Conerly Jr., and Aireontae Ersery will be first-round picks. Furthermore, Donovan Jackson could be a first-round pick at left tackle after his elite play during Ohio State’s playoff run. Several offensive tackle-needy teams are picking in the 20s. Therefore, expect a run on draft night.
Donovan Jackson is the First Guard Selected
Speaking of Jackson, the former Ohio State star is consistently picked behind Alabama’s Tyler Booker and North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel in nearly every mock draft. However, don’t be surprised if that isn’t the case on draft night. Last year, Jackson had to move from left guard to left tackle after Ohio State lost Josh Simmons to a significant season-ending knee injury.
Despite never playing left tackle before in his college career, Jackson was a superstar protecting Will Howard’s blindside. According to PFF, Jackson surrendered only two pressures and zero sacks during Ohio State’s playoff run, despite facing multiple elite defenses. While he might be best at guard in the NFL, Jackson will be the first interior offensive lineman drafted because of his success at left tackle during the College Football Playoff.
Both Michigan Defensive Tackles Are Top 10 Picks
Michigan has the top two defensive tackles in most draft rankings this year. Mason Graham is a likely top-10 and potential top-5 pick. Meanwhile, Kenneth Grant is a near lock to be a first-round pick, listed at -500 odds to be a Day 1 selection. However, his draft range for the first round is uncertain.
Odds to be drafted in the 1st Round of the #NFLDraft (long list, please expand):
Jaxson Dart (-1000)
Nick Emmanwori (-1000)
Matthew Golden (-1000)
Mykel Williams (-1000)
Derrick Harmon (-1000)
Gray Zabel (-1000)
Omarion Hampton (-500)
Kenneth Grant (-500)
Malaki Starks (-400)…— Jaime Eisner (@JaimeEisner) April 9, 2025
Grant is arguably the NFL Draft class’s top run-stopper. Yet, he moves very well at 331 pounds. While the public isn’t very high on the former Michigan star, NFL teams love Grant. There are a few teams in the top 10 that could draft him. Don’t be surprised if Graham goes fifth overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meanwhile, Grant could be the eighth overall pick by the Carolina Panthers.
10 Edge-Rushers Come Off the Board in the Top 40
While everyone wants to talk about how deep the running back draft class is, let’s not forget about the edge-rusher unit. Abdul Carter is the clear-cut top edge-rusher in the draft class and a lock to be a top-4 selection. Meanwhile, Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, Mike Green, Shemar Stewart, and James Pearce Jr. will be first-round picks, with at least three expected to come off the board in the top 20.
Furthermore, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Oluwafemi Oladejo have gained steam as the draft approaches. Both edge-rushers have a real chance to be a first-round pick. Meanwhile, Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, and Landon Jackson should be early second-round picks. All three could come off the board within the first eight picks of the second round.
Carson Schwesinger Sneaks Into the First Round
Unfortunately, the 2025 NFL Draft lacks an elite linebacker prospect. Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell is the only linebacker guaranteed to come off the board in the first round. However, Schwesinger could sneak into Day 1 of the draft. The former UCLA star’s draft stock has been one of the hottest over the past few weeks.
Furthermore, Schwesinger recently took a visit with the Baltimore Ravens. They have the 27th overall pick in the NFL Draft and a need at linebacker. While Roquan Smith is arguably the best linebacker in the NFL, the Ravens have lost his running mate in back-to-back offseasons. Schwesinger had a breakout year in 2024. Don’t be surprised if he lands with Baltimore.
After working out for 30 NFL teams last week, #UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger is on a top-30 visit to the #Ravens today, source said. The rising prospect could be in play for Baltimore at No. 27 to pair with All-Pro Roquan Smith in the middle.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 7, 2025
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