The 2025 NFL Draft is several months away, but teams will have another opportunity to address roster issues over the next few weeks. With several teams already fading from the playoff race, trade talks could be particularly active across the league leading up to the deadline (Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. ET).
There may not be any deals that impact the first-round draft order, but plenty will redistribute assets and inevitably lead to other moves down the road. For instance, Cleveland and Las Vegas acquired third-round picks this week in exchange for Amari Cooper, Davante Adams. Two weeks ago, I predicted that Adams would become a Jet, DeAndre Hopkins would be a Chief and Amari Cooper would be on the move.
Before predicting how the first round of next April's draft plays out, let's play matchmaker with some of the remaining rumored trade candidates.
Panthers WR Diontae Johnson traded to the Cowboys
By all accounts, Dallas' season has been disappointing thus far. Still, the Cowboys are .500 with an opportunity to make an impact in the NFC. Brandin Cooks is likely to be out a bit longer and there had already been a need for another pass catcher opposite CeeDee Lamb. Carolina's outlook is bleak and there is no long-term gain to holding on to assets valued elsewhere.
Browns EDGE Za'Darius Smith traded to the Lions
Smith is under contract for the 2025 season so Detroit would have a competent pass rusher not only for this season, but next, when Aidan Hutchinson returns. Cleveland has paid down Smith's base salary so the Lions will have to pay up for this trade to work.
Cardinals S Budda Baker traded to the Seahawks
Mike Macdonald had assembled all the pieces that he needed in Baltimore last season. In his new role, Macdonald is working to identify those reliable pieces to his defense. Baker has been a difference-maker for a team making little impact on the postseason. As Arizona continues gazing toward the future, draft assets will be more valuable.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp traded to the Buccaneers
Los Angeles has been riddled with scheme-changing injuries and now finds itself in the basement of the NFC West. Tampa Bay is dealing with injuries to both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Kupp has familiarity with Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen dating back to their time together with the Rams.
The draft order below was determined by current win-loss records, with ties broken by strength of schedule.
Without further ado, let's kick this off!
For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on "With the First Pick" -- our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc.
Round 1 - Pick 1
Drake Maye has done some really good things at quarterback, but his pass catchers are not creating a lot of separation. The selection of Travis Hunter allows them to address that area of the offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Carolina will start Bryce Young this weekend. Unless there is a grand awakening from the former No. 1 overall selection, fans should not be surprised if the Panthers return to the rookie quarterback well this offseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
If the right quarterback is available, then Cleveland would probably pounce on the opportunity. The addition of a rookie quarterback allows the Browns to offset the monster salary cap hit of Deshaun Watson, but it also prevents them from fully taking advantage of a quarterback on a rookie contract.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
DeAndre Hopkins is no longer in Tennessee and it seems Will Levis is not a part of the franchise's long-term vision. Regardless of who is taking snaps for the Titans next season, they will need pass catchers. Calvin Ridley and Tetairoa McMillan is a good start.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
New York's rush defense has lost a step. Mason Graham and Quinnen Williams would give them a formidable run defense, as well as some pocket-pushing capability in the heart of the Jets defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
New Orleans is probably going to be forced to make some difficult decisions, in all likelihood. The Saints could move on from edge rusher Chase Young sooner rather than later, which opens the door for a powerful edge rusher like Mykel Williams.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Change is coming for Jacksonville yet again. The Jaguars have a handful of building blocks, but they need to regain confidence. Will Campbell stepping in at left tackle is not going to single-handedly fix the offense, but he raises the talent floor.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins are pillars on defense. If they add Will Johnson Jr., who has shown he may be the best player in the draft when healthy, then they have three stars on that side of the ball. Now, they just need to figure out the quarterback conundrum.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Giants fans are fed up with Daniel Jones. Carson Beck's play this season has been more Derek Carr than it has been C.J. Stroud, but he has stepped up in big moments for the Bulldogs. Can the offensive line hold up long enough to give Beck a chance?
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Terron Armstead will turn 34 next summer. At some point, Miami needs to think about the future at that spot. Kelvin Banks Jr. gives the Fins a solution as they aim to protect Tua Tagovailoa.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
There are rumors that Cooper Kupp is available via trade. Puka Nacua was a revelation as a rookie, but has been injured in 2024. If Kupp is gone, then there is no obvious complement to Nacua. Luther Burden III and Nacua gives the Rams a solid duo.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Once again, Trey Hendrickson is looking for a new contract. The Bengals have not exactly been flush with pass-rushing prowess outside of Hendrickson. James Pearce Jr. is still coming into his own as a run defender, but there is no doubting what he can provide a team as a pass rusher.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Cincinnati started Jonah Williams at left tackle and then moved him to right tackle before coming to the realization that it should pursue other options. Arizona may come to that same decision. Kelvin Beachum is in his final season, so the Cardinals could theoretically move Williams to guard and then plug in Cameron Williams at right tackle.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
George Kittle has battled injury a lot as of late. San Francisco does not have a player capable of filling Kittle's shoes and that is an important role. Colston Loveland may play along Kittle for a year and then eventually take over.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Jim Harbaugh recruited Deone Walker when he was at Michigan before the Detroit native opted for Kentucky. Walker is a unique interior defender who can bring stability alongside an improving Otito Ogbonnia.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Ashton Jeanty has dual-threat capabilities as a runner and pass catcher. Dallas has not had a player like that on the roster since Ezekiel Elliott was in the early stages of his career. The offensive line still has consistency issues, but there are young players capable of growing together as the solution.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Tampa Bay has capable pass rushers, but the ceiling of that unit can be so much higher with a player like Abdul Carter. If Chris Braswell and Yaya Diaby continue developing, then the Buccaneers have a talented young core that they can throw at the opposition in waves.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
The day will come that Brandon Graham is no longer on Philadelphia's roster. The Eagles continue investing in a position of strength with the selection of the powerful Nic Scourton. The edge rushers finding early success in the NFL have a high baseline of power to their game.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Seattle acquired linebacker Earnest Jones IV via trade this week. Head coach Mike Macdonald is looking for the defensive staples that he had drafted and developed in Baltimore, like safety Kyle Hamilton. Malaki Starks is a smart, accountable player who Macdonald can trust on the back end of his defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Cornerback is not a position in which Indianapolis has invested heavily. The Colts do so with the No. 20 overall selection as Benjamin Morrison, who will be recovering from a season-ending injury, is the choice.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The offensive line was a point of pride for Sean Payton in New Orleans. Denver's interior could use some attention. Jonah Savaiinaea is playing right tackle for Arizona, but could be a more impactful interior player at the next level.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Jalon Walker is more of a pass rusher at this stage of his career, but his best chance for long-term success is as an off-ball linebacker given his size. A competent pass rush has evaded Atlanta for years, but Walker may be able to give the Falcons some in an unconventional way.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
The interior offensive line has been able to overcome some of its early season woes, but that is a potential problem area down the road. If Caleb Williams is the future, then the Bears will want to fortify his protection.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
A 6-foot-8 starting offensive guard is unconventional, but it has not inhibited them much. Donovan Jackson may be a more reliable option long term.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Daylen Everette has played exceptionally well for Georgia this season. There are players who do enough to make the play, and then there are players who look as though they are in control. Everette is the latter. As Buffalo searches for defensive tent poles, Everette has the potential to be one.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Brandon Coleman was drafted with the hopes of becoming Washington's franchise left tackle. Emery Jones Jr. can be the same on the right side of the line as the Commanders slowly fill in the pieces surrounding Jayden Daniels.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Russell Wilson put George Pickens to use in his debut, but Pickens has proven to be incredibly volatile. Even if Pickens becomes the best version of himself, they will need a complementary weapon, which is where Isaiah Bond comes into the picture.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Green Bay's defense has shown improvement under the direction of new coordinator Jeff Hafley. Kenneth Grant will allow the Packers to continue being stingy upfront.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Derek Stingley Jr.. Kamari Lassiter. Will Anderson Jr.. Houston has sunk significant draft capital into the defense, but there are still positions of weakness. Walter Nolen is an incredibly gifted athlete who has the opportunity to reach his full potential under the direction of a highly respected defensive coach.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Minnesota's interior offensive line has been susceptible to security breaches this season. Jared Wilson replaces Garrett Bradbury at center as the Vikings look to stabilize the protection of second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Detroit has essentially lost every edge rusher with which it began the season. Aidan Hutchinson will return for next year, but the pass rusher opposite him will once again be a point of emphasis this offseason. J.T. Tuimoloau is more of a run defender than a pass rusher, but his toughness will be endearing to head coach Dan Campbell.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Kansas City traded L'Jarius Sneed to Tennessee in the offseason. The Chiefs have been able to find contributors on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, but now take a big swing with the long cornerback out of Arizona.
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