3 Intriguing First-Round Draft Trades for 2025
Let's mix things up on Draft Day!
Here are 3 first-round trades I could see happening that would make things really interesting.
- The Jets trade up to #2 to select their franchise QB. The Jets think their roster's good enough to compete, but they just need the most important final piece. Rather than rolling the dice on the QB free agency market, they send this year's #7 and next year's first-round pick to Cleveland to move up five spots to #2. This allows the NYJ to leapfrog the Giants, the Raiders, and any other QB-needy teams to select either Cam or Shedeur as their franchise signal-caller of the future. [This would be contingent on TEN not choosing a QB with the #1 overall pick.]
- The Panthers trade up to #4 to select Mason Graham. Carolina's run defense was dead-last in the league last year and it wasn't even close (opponents averaged 180 rushing yards/game). To have any chance of competing, they recognize they must prioritize their defensive line first-and-foremost. The Patriots really want Will Campbell in this draft, yet #4 feels too rich to pick him. So they're willing to trade down four spots to get the Cats' #8 pick and also get their second-rounder (#57) too. The bet pays off; Campbell is still available at #8 and they pick up another solid player to support their rebuild.
- The Bears trade down from #10 to get an IOL. Chicago's biggest needs are an EDGE rusher and interior offensive linemen. The right EDGE can be obtained in free agency, and a solid IOL can be found in the second half of the first round. This gives them the opportunity to trade down. While #10 isn't quite as sexy as a Top-5 pick, several mid-round teams like the Broncos (#20), Steelers (#21), or Chargers (#22) might be willing to trade up to select Ashton Jeanty.