There are only three more games left in the 2024 NFL season, and then all eyes will turn to the offseason. And teams with the top 10 picks in the 2025 draft, which begins April 24, will closely study the prospect pool and begin making plans for their picks.
This draft class is highlighted by a battle between Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders for the QB1 spot, and is expected to have more high-end defensive players, like Penn State’s Abdul Carter, than we saw last April . The Tennessee Titans have the top pick for the first time since 2016 (when they traded it to the Los Angeles Rams) and will control much of what happens in Round 1. But the rest of the top 10 offers also intrigue. .
We asked our NFL Nation reporters, who cover teams with top 10 picks, to answer a big question about the top picks. They are the titans, brown and giant all Are you inclined to find a new QB in the draft? Will Tom Brady help the Raiders in their own QB search? Will the Bears draft a defenseman for the first time since 2018? Let’s dive in.
Jump to a team:
TEN | CLÉ | New York | NE | jax
VI | New York | CAR | NOT | CHI
After hiring new general manager Mike Borgonzi, what do we know about the Titans’ first plans at the No. 1 spot?
Borgonzi played a big role in the Chiefs’ decision to trade for Patrick Mahomes in 2017, and he will have to seriously consider signing a quarterback here. Titans coach Brian Callahan will take a closer look at top prospects during East-West Shrine and Senior Bowl weeks. He didn’t close the door on Will Levis’ return next season, but it’s pretty clear the organization is still looking for a franchise QB.
“Well, we have a quarterback under contract. [Levis]”Callahan said during his season-ending press conference. “The other two are free agents and we’re in a position to potentially draft a quarterback.”
Callahan has gone through the No. 1 pick process before with the Bengals, who took Joe Burrow in 2020. President of football operations Chad Brinker told ESPN that he would like to have more of the two picks that the Titans currently have in the top 100. although. Tennessee hasn’t said it’s open for business yet, but a trade of the No. 1 pick could easily satisfy the organization’s desire to add more draft picks. — Davenport Nougat
Does Deshaun Watson’s injury to his right Achilles tendon mean the Browns will do it? definitely Move to the QB at the No. 2 spot, or are there still other options in play?
The Browns were always going to look at quarterback options in free agency and the draft, even before the Watson setback. But a quarterback at the No. 2 spot is not a given.
Cleveland would love one of the top prospects, and general manager Andrew Berry has often preached the philosophy of sticking to his advice and taking the best player available. He has also shown a propensity to trade and stockpile additional picks, something he alluded to in his end-of-season press conference.
“Having the second pick in the draft, whether we draft a player or use him to max out otherwise, gives us the opportunity to really pivot if we need to,” Berry said. –Daniel Oyefusi
Are the Giants more likely to address their QB position in the draft or free agency?
It may not be an either/or proposition. The Giants have made it their “number one issue” this offseason to find their quarterback of the future, according to owner John Mara. His plan at the start of last season was to draft a quarterback if it didn’t work out with Daniel Jones. But the timing of all this after Jones’ release in November could dictate that the Giants address the position at both free agency and the draft.
Tommy DeVito will be their only quarterback under contract this offseason. They will likely need a strong free agency contingency in March, in case they can’t land a quarterback at the top of the draft. Remember, Mara made it clear that there is pressure to produce in 2025. –Jordan Raanan
Is this an obvious spot for one of the best offensive tackles in his class, or could the Patriots address other holes?
New coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that the offensive line is a top priority in his introductory press conference. “You look at teams that are able to protect the quarterback and dictate the flow of the game offensively; making sure that up front we’re solid, we’re strong, whether it’s through free agency or the draft, that’s something that is fundamental,” said Vrabel.
The Patriots ranked last in the NFL in successful pass blocking rate in each of the last two seasons. But that doesn’t mean they’ll automatically take an offensive tackle at No. 4. They need top-line players at other positions, such as receiver, defensive line and pass rusher. –Mike Reiss
What are the biggest weaknesses of the Jaguars roster heading into the offseason?
It all has to do with pass defense. The safety play has been poor and they probably won’t re-sign Andre Cisco. They need another cornerback opposite Tyson Campbell, and the pass rush (outside of defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker) has been inconsistent this season.
The Jaguars ranked last in the league in passing yards allowed per game (257.4, the third-worst mark in franchise history), intercepted just six passes and allowed 23 pass plays of 30 yards or more. Hines-Allen dropped from 17.5 sacks in 2023 to eight, although Walker became the second player in franchise history to record 10 or more sacks in consecutive seasons. Moving Arik Armstead back inside can increase the inside running, but the Jaguars need another edge rusher and improved coverage. –Michael DiRocco
What are you hearing about the role Tom Brady could play in the Raiders’ QB search?
The Raiders, who brought in Brady as a minority owner, need a coach and general manager before making a decision on QB1. Still, Raiders owner Mark Davis said the seven-time Super Bowl champion would be involved.
“Even though Tom can’t play, I think he can help us draft a quarterback in the future and potentially coach him as well,” Davis said in October, when Brady’s ownership was approved.
Of course, that brings us to the prospect Brady has already been linked to: Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. In fact, it was Davis who told Sanders at a Las Vegas Aces game on Oct. 5, “Who knows, you might be home right now.” –Pablo Gutierrez
Aside from quarterback, what other needs could the Jets fill with their first-round pick?
Think defense. The Jets finished 23rd in defensive EPA, well below third in 2023. They’ll need a cornerback to pair with Sauce Gardner, assuming they lose their second option, DJ Reed, in free agency. And there has been some loss of talent on the once-formidable defensive line, which could use more top-line talent in the room besides Quinnen Williams. Edge rusher isn’t a huge need, assuming defensive end Jermaine Johnson returns to form after his right Achilles injury, but it would be hard to overlook an elite prospect.
The overall draft philosophy will be shaped by the new general manager and new head coach. The scheme will play an important factor in these decisions. – Rico Cimini
What do we know about Carolina having a No. 8 overall defense?
Carolina won’t go all out on defense with nine picks, but the best picks should be heavy on that side of the ball. General manager Dan Morgan, a former Pro Bowl linebacker, took it personally that his team ranked last in total defense (404.5 yards allowed per game) and against the run (179.8 yards allowed per game). He kept defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, hinting that it was more of a personnel issue.
The offense is headed in the right direction with the return of quarterback Bryce Young and other key players. Therefore, the focus will be on adding an edge rusher, safety help, and a big run stopper. Just don’t expect this to be a defensive sweep like it was in 2020, when Carolina became the first team in NFL history to use all seven of its draft picks on defense. They still need an elite receiver and more depth at running back. –David Newton
With the Saints’ big needs and cap issues, does this seem like an approach based on the best player available right now?
At $70.6 million over the cap in 2025 (per the Roster Management System), the Saints will likely have to draft based on their needs. But its greatest need is open to interpretation. They are looking for successors at defensive end and linebacker to 35-year-old Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis, respectively. They could also use another wide receiver to slot in alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, as well as permanent fixes on the offensive line.
A quarterback could also be in mind, depending on the needs of the next Saints coach. But as general manager Mickey Loomis pointed out in his end-of-season press conference, they can’t afford to have a top pick to do that. And Derek Carr has two years left on his four-year, $150 million contract. –Katherine Terrell
The Bears haven’t used a first-round pick on defense since 2018. What are the chances of that streak ending in 2025?
The Bears have big needs to address in the trenches, so it’s fair to say Chicago uses their first-round pick 50% as a pass rusher.
When asked about senior defensive end Montez Sweat’s (5.5 sacks) disappointing season, general manager Ryan Poles said adding more talent is the best way to beat the amount of double teams and chips Sweat receives. Creating more one-on-one matchups would allow Chicago’s pass rush win rate to improve from its 37% finish in 2024, which was a slight step up from last season, but still ranks 24th in the NFL. -Courtney Cronin