2025 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting trades for Davante Adams and other top WRs, how it could impact Round 1

Trades are not yet projected, but this is a clear spot for one if a top quarterback prospect emerges. As it stands, New England needs wide receiver help, and no team has more willingly embraced two-way skillsets than the Patriots. It was announced that Drake Maye is going to be the starter moving forward, and he is going to need help if there is any chance of this ending successfully.

Cincinnati has benched Cam Taylor-Britt and there has been no consistency at the position. Will Johnson remains the top overall prospect for me personally, and the Bengals nab him at No. 2 overall.

No one questions that Cleveland needs to make a change at quarterback. There are questions about how to handle Deshaun Watson’s contract and the path forward. Signing Sam Darnold next offseason is probably not in the cards considering what they will owe Watson, but the idea of taking a quarterback in the draft makes a lot of sense.

Los Angeles has a few offensive tackles slated to hit free agency next offseason. So, the Rams continue to get younger and add protection for quarterback Matthew Stafford in the form of Will Campbell.

Jacksonville addressed its interior defensive line last offseason by signing Arik Armstead and drafting Maason Smith, but it continues the investment to create a position of strength with the selection of Mason Graham.

Carolina tore down its defense last offseason to prop up a struggling offense. It is time to identify tentpoles of that unit moving forward. Mykel Williams is a young player who can develop into a difference-maker.

DeAndre Hopkins’ time in Tennessee is probably coming to an end, which means the Titans could be looking for a complement to Calvin Ridley next offseason. Tetairoa McMillan gives them size in that role and a ball winner for whoever ends up being the quarterback.

Miami has a lot of question marks right now. The future of head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa are up in the air. They pulled a lot from the interior defensive line last offseason, and Deone Walker steps in as a viable replacement.

The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh this week. They are going to bring in a new head coach who was not a part of the conversations and the sacrifices made to bring in Aaron Rodgers. For a clean slate, they may need to draft a rookie quarterback and move forward with youth.

2024 draft selection Max Melton may be a building block in that Arizona secondary, but it could benefit from identifying a true lockdown No. 1 cornerback like Benjamin Morrison.

Gardner Minshew has given the team serviceable quarterback play, but there is not a long-term vision. Assuming Antonio Pierce returns as the head coach, I think that as a former defensive coordinator, he would be drawn to Cam Ward’s skill set despite Texas’ Quinn Ewers still being available.

Chase Young, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Payton Turner are all slated to hit free agency. Nic Scourton is the type of powerful pass rusher whom the franchise has been drawn to in the past.

Malaki Starks is one of the best prospects eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft regardless of position. They have sunk assets into the safety position over the years, and those choices have just not worked out. Starks feels like less of a risk as the Colts work to identify building blocks in the secondary.

Kelvin Banks Jr. would flip to the right side in this scenario and replace Colton McKivitz. Trent Williams is not going to play forever, and Kyle Shanahan is going to want to build an offensive line that can withstand his loss.

Are we arriving at a point where New York is comfortable moving forward with Daniel Jones? After beginning the season in a very dark place, Giants fans have reasons for optimism in recent weeks. Jones has to prove himself over the remainder of the season, and that is why Quinn Ewers is the choice here.

Philadelphia drafts offensive and defensive linemen almost every year. There is no reason to expect that to change on Howie Roseman’s watch, so the Eagles take the dynamic pass rusher from Tennessee.

Chicago’s offensive line has not lived up to its average expectations this season. Caleb Williams started to look like he was settling in last week and solidifying the offensive line long-term would go a long way towards serving him well.

Preston Smith will turn 32 years old in just over a month. If the franchise were to move on from him next offseason, it would save roughly $8 million towards the salary cap. Abdul Carter has played an off-ball role, but also supplies pass rush. His skill set would make for a good replacement of Smith.

Los Angeles is certainly built in Jim Harbaugh’s image of being tough and accountable, particularly in the trenches. Walter Nolen gives them a higher upside for the interior defensive line.

Seattle’s coaching staff has familiarity with Colston Loveland. The tight end position was not overly important for offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb in Washington, but I wonder if changes may be on the horizon with Tyler Lockett’s salary cap hit rising to nearly $31 million in 2025.

George Pickens is certainly a flawed wide receiver, but he has his strengths. Pittsburgh is likely to move forward with Justin Fields, and Luther Burden III would be a good compliment to Pickens.

For better or worse, Sean Payton has his beliefs and he sticks to them. When he had Drew Brees in New Orleans, he invested in the running back position first with Mark Ingram in the first round and then Alvin Kamara in the second round. Having a player of Ashton Jeanty’s skill set, who can also catch the ball out of the backfield, would be a big aid to Bo Nix.

Dallas is paying a lot to CeeDee Lamb, and Brandin Cooks will be a free agent after the season. The Cowboys need to re-invest in that role, especially if they are going to watch their pockets and not spend big in free agency. Emeka Egbuka is a reliable pass-catcher.

Offensive guard Sua Opeta is a free agent after the season, so the thought is that Tyler Booker replaces him and helps the offense continue on its upward trajectory.

Length is a coveted trait for the Bills at cornerback. Tacario Davis has the reach to recover downfield and contest the ball in the air.

Ronnie Stanley has remained healthy thus far, but that has been an issue in the past. Stanley is a free agent at season’s end, so it is an organic time to bring in his replacement and complete a young offensive line that should be together for several years.

Atlanta continues its pursuit of difference-making pass rushers. Landon Jackson is a lengthy body that would compliment Matthew Judon well.

J.T. Tuimoloau is a powerful pass rusher with a ceiling that he has yet to reach. Detroit has struggled to find a consistent option opposite Aidan Hutchinson, but the hope is that Tuimoloau can be an effective run stopper while mixing in the occasional pass rush.

Brandon Coleman may well just be the answer at left tackle, but Cameron Williams could be a right tackle who can develop with quarterback Jayden Daniels, who will be entering his second season.

Houston upgrades its interior defensive line with the addition of Tyleik Williams. It is not unreasonable to think it could look for another pass rusher, either.

Kansas City has a few interior defenders who may hit free agency this offseason, which could leave it looking for answers to pair with Chris Jones. Kenneth Grant is more of a nose tackle, but fulfills a specific role for that franchise.

Minnesota has rolled through its options at cornerback over the years, and the 2025 NFL Draft brings them back to the well with the selection of Denzel Burke in the first round.