2025 NFL Draft way to early Top 10 prediction

As the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles end their celebration, the NFL begins its offseason. The combine will be held on Feb. 27 and the NFL draft is only two months away.

In what could be as unpredictable of a draft as ever, I’ll try to decipher which prospects could hear their name called within the first ten picks this April.

1. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE | Penn State

This is such a tough pick to call. The Titans need to find their quarterback of the future, but many consider this to be a weaker QB class.

With this in mind, Tennessee opts to simply take the best overall player, and his name is Adbul Carter. Carter’s combination of elite athleticism, burst and bend will make him a nightmare to have to gameplan against on Sundays.

Plus if the board falls their way, the Titans could have the option to select a QB like Jaxson Dart or Dillon Gabriel with the first pick of the second round.

Sidenote- I think there’s a real possibility that the Titans trade back a spot or two here with a QB-needy team to gain extra capital and execute this same plan.

2. Cleveland Browns: Cam Ward, QB | Miami

The Browns get their choice between the top two quarterbacks in the class, and they opt to go with Cam Ward.

When navigating the pocket, the Heisman Trophy finalist is one of the most calm, cool and collected quarterbacks that I’ve ever seen. This will translate well into the NFL.

With Cleveland expected to move on from Deshaun Watson under the helm, Cam Ward provides a refreshing spark of energy to their offense as one of the best throwers in the draft class.

3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB | Colorado

After moving on from QB Daniel Jones this season, the Giants need to find a star franchise quarterback, and in my opinion, Shedeur Sanders was built for the Big Apple.

The Colorado signal-caller has the mental fortitude to succeed as a quarterback in the NFL, specifically in a big market such as New York.

If the Giants structure their offense around timing and anticipation, two of Sanders’ best attributes, then Shedeur and WR Malik Nabers should become best friends.

4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB/WR | Colorado

I could see the Patriots opting to address the offensive line here, but when the reigning Heisman trophy winner falls into your lap, you take him.

Hunter has many teams convinced that he can be a two-way player in the NFL, and it is certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Regardless, he’ll make an immediate impact at whichever position the Patriots best see fit.

New England desperately needs a wide receiver, and certainly could use some defensive back depth. Hunter’s positional versatility will be well-ruminated for whichever organization selects him.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jahdae Barron, DB | Texas

Jacksonville desperately needs help in the secondary, as they allowed the most passing yards per game in the NFL last season.

Barron is a defensive chess piece. He’s played outside, in the slot and even as a dime linebacker for the Longhorns. With a nose for the ball, his immediate impact plays should help bolster Jacksonville’s secondary in year one.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB | Boise State

This one may be a bit surprising, but hear me out. If the Raiders aren’t able to get one of the top quarterbacks, they should add offensive weapons instead.

The Zamir White experiment did not exactly pan out, so they’ll likely need to find their RB of the future. So it’s a win-win situation as Vegas gets the best available player at a position of need.

Plus, new offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, loves to run the ball downhill. Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty will fit right into his hard-nosed running scheme.

7. New York Jets: Will Johnson, CB | Michigan

The Jets have a staggering 16 defensive players with expiring contracts heading into this offseason, and half of those players are defensive backs.

It’d be almost impossible for New York to retain their entire secondary, so they snag Will Johnson to sit across from Sauce Gardner. Johnson is an instinctive defensive back with elite ball skills.

Johnson has experience playing both outside and in the slot in college, an invaluable skill to a team with a lot of incoming holes in its secondary.

8. Carolina Panthers: Mason Graham, DT | Michigan

No need to overthink here. This logic is similar to that of the Jets’ pick: the Panthers allowed the most rushing yards per game in the NFL last season.

Luckily, the best interior defender in the draft fell into their lap. Not only does Graham’s elite short-area burst make him great against the run- he can also rush the passer well.

This bodes well for a Carolina defense that also ranked near the bottom of the NFL in sacks per game last season. Graham should make an immediate defensive impact.

9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren, TE | Penn State

There’s an argument for Tetairoa McMillan here, but Warren is simply too good to pass up. Plus, the Saints haven’t had a game changing tight end since prime Jimmy Graham.

Tyler Warren is a guy who can change your entire offense immediately. He’s great as both a receiver and a blocker. New head coach Kellen Moore would be salivating thinking of all the different ways he can implement Warren into his scheme.

New Orleans can find another receiver to complement Chris Olave either through free agency or the subsequent rounds of the draft. Take the top-five talent in Warren here.

10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT | LSU

Quarterback Caleb Williams went through the wringer last season as Chicago allowed a staggering four sacks per game, the most in the NFL.

Campbell is one of the best pass protectors in this draft. His combination of ideal size and athleticism could make him a long-time starter for Chicago.

Caleb Williams, you can breathe. Help is on the way.

Darian Capobianco is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dpc5734@psu.edu.