The 2025 NFL Draft is filled with a ton of intriguing storylines. Let's rank the players who are most likely going first overall. This isn't like the 2024 NFL Draft where most poeple expected quarterbacks to dominant the top of the class.
This QB class is a lot weaker, and if players like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders had been in the 2024 NFL Draft, they may firmly be second-round prospects. Well, teams who need a QB are going to have to get a bit creative here, and there is a distinct chance for a non-quarterback to go with the first overall selection.
We ranked the players most likely to go first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
2025 NFL Draft: Power-ranking players most likely going first overall
5. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Mason Graham is pretty clearly the best defensive tackle prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, and this class is truly stacked at DT. Graham is commonly mocked with one of the first five picks, and I truly have not seen many mocking him first overall.
I guess if something major happens between now and the start of the first round, we could see the Michigan defensive tackle hear his name called first. He is still, arguably, a top-3 prospect in this class and does have a better chance than most other prospects to go first overall.
4. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Travis Hunter could be one of the more interesting NFL Draft prospects in history. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2024 and does have first-round talent at both CB and WR, which is mind-boggling. Hunter is a better cornerback than wide receiver but is probably going to get snaps at both in 2025 and beyond.
If a team like the Tennessee Titans ends up sticking with the first overall pick, they could simply view Travis Hunter as the best prospect in this class and make the selection. It might not be wise since the trenches are more important - which paves the way for Abdul Carter, but you just never know at this point.
3. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Shedeur Sanders, in my view, would be a mid-second-round prospect had he come out in the 2024 NFL Draft, but here we are. Sanders is solid from the pocket and quite accurate, but he's not a plus athlete and does not have stellar arm strength. A team taking Sanders in the first round is truly taking a risk, and if a team like the New York Giants or New York Jets feel strongly enough about Sanders, they can try to trade up with the Tennessee Titans for the right to draft Sanders.
It would be a bold move, and at the end of the day, Sanders is a lock to go inside the top-10 if nothing else. Any team that does draft the son of Deion Sanders would most benefit from signing a one-year bridge QB option, as Shedeur Sanders could use some time to develop.
2. Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Cam Ward is the best quarterback prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class. He absolutely has the highest ceiling of any quarterback and could be a solid option for the first overall pick. The Tennessee Titans hold that pick as we know, but it does not feel like they are comfortable taking Ward first overall.
I would expect Cam Ward to go first overall if a different team traded up for him. If I was a GM, I would absolutely have Ward as my top quarterback prospect, but he, like Shedeur Sanders, might be a fringe-first-round prospect if this was the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Abdul Carter could be very much on pace to go first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the Tennessee Titans cutting pass rusher Harold Landry, some think that is them setting the stage to draft Carter, who is the best overall prospect in the class.
He could fill a huge area of need for Tennessee, and if he is their best player available as well, this could be a great instance where the 'need' and 'BPA' end up being the same player.