Henry McKenna
NFL reporter
For the 18 NFL groups already on trip, roster building is the primary focus.
They are centered on the 2025 NFL Draft, trying to find prime school prospects who might help elevate their respective groups into playoff rivalry for subsequent season and past.
Only two quarterbacks are thought-about consensus first-round picks, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward. But there are a number of intriguing prospects on the prime of the board, most notably Sanders’ teammate, Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who was a two-way famous person for the Buffaloes at huge receiver and cornerback.
A yr after a working again went undrafted on Day 1, Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty possible can be this April. But how excessive?
To spotlight our multi-part collection highlighting what some groups ought to do with the No. 1 decide, FOX Sports’ Ben Arthur and Henry McKenna mock first-round picks for non-playoff golf equipment (1-18).
1. Tennessee Titans: Shedeur Sanders, quarterback, Colorado
With his pinpoint accuracy and fast launch, Shedeur Sanders is ideal for Brian Callahan’s plan on paper. Don’t rule out the Titans folding if the chance presents itself, nevertheless, permitting them to accumulate much-needed capital from a group extra determined to get Sanders or Cam Ward. This could possibly be an enormous precedence for changing Ran Carthon as common supervisor. —Ben Arthur
2. Cleveland Browns: Cam Ward, quarterback, Miami
Deshaun Watson, who just lately suffered a setback in his Achilles tendon restoration, should not cease Cleveland from taking a quarterback at this spot. Ward is a superb prospect, with all of the upside on this planet. I’m certain, throughout smokescreen season, individuals will badmouth his resolution to sit down out the second half of his group’s bowl recreation. (And, frankly, that call nonetheless appears horrible, however school soccer is an odd enterprise proper now.)
Ward will want a while. He will want persistence. He excelled, however his opponents did not actually check him. So, this isn’t a plug-and-play QB. With the Browns tied to Watson for one more yr, Ward might be able to develop as a reserve. —Henry McKenna
Why Cam Ward misses the second half of the bowl recreation is not an enormous deal
3. Giants of New York: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
With their prime two quarterbacks off the board, the Giants develop into the perfect accessible in Travis Hunter. New York wants a beginning cornerback with Adoree’ Jackson set to develop into a free agent. Over time, Hunter may be inserted into offensive packages as a receiver. -Arthur
4. New England Patriots: Greetings McMillanWR, Arizona
This decide is as a lot about McMillan as it’s about prime sort out prospects. It’s just a bit nerve-wracking to get one within the prime 5. McMillan is a a lot safer wager than Kelvin Banks (Texas) and Will Campbell (LSU). At 6-foot-5, McMillan is a big-bodied receiver with uncommon arms, pace and agility and can be a formidable weapon for Drake Maye. — McKenna
5. The Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
With one of many worst passing defenses within the league in 2024, the Jags want a beginning cornerback reverse Tyson Campbell. At 6-foot-2, Will Johnson is an enormous blocking nook who strikes nicely for his dimension. -Arthur
6. Raiders of Las Vegas: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
This is the purpose within the draft the place there may be the least refinement on offensive prospects. But if a group finally ends up taking a threat, why not do it with a sort out? Banks have a bonus. It can begin from the proper aspect. And if issues worsen, the Raiders can all the time transfer him inside to protect. — McKenna
7. New York jet: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Being this low, the Jets will possible look to free company for Aaron Rodgers’ successor. The greatest defensive sort out on this yr’s class, Mason Graham may kind a dominant inside working tandem with Quinnen Williams. -Arthur
8. Carolina Panthers: Abdul CarterEDGE, Pen State
Some individuals assume Carter is the perfect participant within the draft. This can be a coup for Carolina, which has wanted assist since buying and selling Brian Burns. — McKenna
9. Saints of New Orleans: Mykel WilliamsEDGE, Georgia
The Saints will want pressing assist. Chase Young and Payton Turner are anticipated to hit free company, whereas Cameron Jordan will flip 36 earlier than subsequent season. -Arthur
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Campbell will not be the tenth greatest prospect on this class, however my goodness, the Bears want tackles. They can carry him right here in hopes that he might help Chicago shield Caleb Williams. — McKenna
11. San Francisco 49ers: Nic ScourtonEDGE, Texas A&M
The Niners have an excellent monitor report with defensive linemen and will use extra depth up entrance coming into 2025. San Francisco wants a younger high-end rusher to play alongside Nick Bosa with Leonard Floyd turning 33 in September. Javon Hargrave’s standing for subsequent season can also be unclear after lacking 14 video games in 2024. -Arthur
12. Dallas Cowboys: Emeka EgbukaWR, Ohio State
Almost everybody has RB Ashton Jeanty from Boise State going right here. But this is without doubt one of the deepest working again lessons in current historical past. Let’s take Egbuka as a complement to CeeDee Lamb. This would make for a really particular mixture… not in contrast to when Dallas paired Lamb with Amari Cooper, not coincidentally Dak Prescott’s greatest yr in 2021. — McKenna
James Jones on the Cowboys denying the Bears’ request to interview McCarthy
13. Miami Dolphins: Great StarksYes, Georgia
The Dolphins may lose Jevon Holland in free company. Malik Starks, the highest security prospect within the draft, is a pure alternative. -Arthur
14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston LovelandTE, Michigan
I ponder if the Colts are interested by how Brock Bowers made two picks earlier than Indy was in play final yr. Loveland can be a strong safety blanket for Anthony Richardson. Loveland is a tricky end, in contrast to what Indy has had for Richardson the final two years. — McKenna
15. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tenn
The Falcons desperately want move rush assist. Their 31 sacks in 2024 have been the second-fewest within the NFL, they usually did not have a participant depend increased than six. James Pearce Jr. had 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and one pressured fumble for the Vols final season. -Arthur
16. Arizona Cardinals: Benjamin MorrisonCB, Our Lady
Morrison is anticipated to come back in and change Sean Murphy-Bunting. And it is possible that in Morrison’s rookie yr, he would instantly take over CB1 duties, which may assist Max Melton, a 2024 second-rounder. — McKenna
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Tre HarrisWR, Old girl
It can be troublesome for the Bengals to pay each Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason. Harris is a possible alternative for Higgins as a 6-foot-2 goal with the power to win 50-50 balls. -Arthur
18. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Left sort out Charles Cross has been excellent, however Simmons is a pleasant proper sort out within the drafting and growth section. The Seahawks need assistance on the offensive line. Simmons offers them precisely that. — McKenna
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, the place he was Titans beat the author for a yr and a half. It lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) earlier than transferring to Tennessee. You can observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
Before becoming a member of FOX Sports as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years protecting the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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