Travis Hunter wants whoever drafts him to let him play WR and CB
Travis Hunter explains why he only ran wide receiver drills at Colorado’s pro day.
Sports Seriously
The 2025 NFL draft is finally upon us, taking place this year at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin – Titletown – home of the Green Bay Packers, the league’s all-time winningest franchise. It’s also the first time the “Cheese State” has hosted the league’s marquee offseason event in the common draft era (since 1967) and first overall since Milwaukee staged the event in … 1940.
The league’s 90th annual “Player Selection Meeting” likely won’t feature much mystery with its No. 1 pick, but things could get awfully interesting shortly afterward in what should be a highly intriguing first round.
USA TODAY Sports will analyze each pick, one through 32, as it is made Thursday night while providing updates and sharing pre-draft angles to know throughout the day before the Titans go on the clock tonight.
How to watch the NFL draft:
The 2025 draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC and streamed on NFL+, ESPN+ or Fubo, which comes with a free trial over the next three days:
- Thursday, April 24 (Round 1 starts 8 p.m. ET): NFL Network, ESPN, ABC (Watch FREE on Fubo)
- Friday, April 25 (Rounds 2-3 start 7 p.m. ET): NFL Network, ESPN2, ABC (Watch FREE on Fubo)
- Saturday, April 26 (Rounds 4-7 start 12 p.m. ET): NFL Network, ESPN, ABC (Watch FREE on Fubo)
Which NFL teams need a quarterback? Ranking all 32 by need
While speculation about Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders’ NFL future builds, there’s no denying there’s a need for his ability in the league – even if it isn’t at the cost of a first-round pick.
“I think it’s so important that you win for today and develop for tomorrow,” former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum told USA TODAY Sports. “(G)o back and do an autopsy of what they did in Green Bay,” he added, citing Hall of Fame GM Ron Wolf, who famously traded for Brett Favre in 1992 yet constantly brought other promising passers through Titletown.
“Every year they were adding guys behind Favre and then, ultimately, Aaron Rodgers. … It’s so important to try and have cost certainty at the position.”
How badly does each organization require help behind center? Here’s a ranking of NFL teams’ needs at QB, ranked least to most – and within tiers – ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.
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EXCLUSIVE: Deion Sanders weighs in on criticism of son, QB Shedeur Sanders
USA TODAY Sports columnist Jarrett Bell recently went to Boulder, Colorado, and discussed several topics with Hall of Famer and University of Colorado football coach, Deion Sanders – among them the pre-draft criticism of his son, former Buffs QB Shedeur Sanders, whose stock seems to be suffering as Round 1 of the draft approaches.
“It’s silly to us,” Deion told USA TODAY Sports during an expansive interview. “Most of it is laughable. What I told him, too, is, ‘Son, what I’ve learned in my life is when it don’t make sense, it’s God. Because some of this stuff is so stupid it don’t make sense. That means God is closing doors and opening doors to make sure you get to where you’re supposed to go.'”
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▶ Shedeur Sanders controversy dissected: Experts weigh in
Browns, Texans swing pre-draft trade
While all 32 teams currently own their first-round picks – never have they all used them during the common draft era (since 1967) – the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns did swap some assets Thursday afternoon. Expect more deals through the night …
Is Jets RB Breece Hall among NFL vets on trade block?
The NFL draft inherently causes job security issues for veteran players as teams constantly seek younger, cheaper talent. And that might mean New York Jets RB Breece Hall is one who might be on the move, according to league reporter Josina Anderson. After finishing second to San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey among running backs with 1,585 yards from scrimmage in 2023, Hall produced 1,359 yards in 2024. He’s now heading into the final season of his rookie contract, yet new NYJ HC Aaron Glenn has already suggested the offense could go to more of a running back by committee approach.
▶ NFL teams and veterans that could be involved in Round 1 trades
Are Jaguars attempting major trade?
The draft is still several hours away, but the buzz is already building. Per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Jacksonville Jaguars would like to move up for the No. 2 overall pick, ostensibly for Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter. Of course, that presumes the Cleveland Browns, who own the second pick at the moment, are willing dance partners and comfortable passing on Hunter, one of the most unique and talented prospects in draft history. If only someone had predicted the Jags as a major wild card …
50* biggest NFL draft busts of last 50 years
The asterisk because I couldn’t limit this list of names, which will take you down memory lane, to just 50. One reason? Rewind four years to the 2021 draft, supposedly chock full of quarterback talent … that mostly has yet to materialize.
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‘Flat-out loaded’ class of running backs?
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty could be the first running back selected in the top five picks since the Giants tabbed Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018. Yet while Jeanty may be the headliner of this year’s RB class, there’s quite a bit of talent – and depth – behind him. Longtime draft analyst Todd McShay USA TODAY Sports: “This class is just flat-out loaded with talent. In 25 years of doing this, I haven’t seen this much high-end talent.” How much and why?
▶ Read more
▶ Following re-emergence of NFL RBs, a special group highlights draft
▶ How good is Jeanty? Pass on him at your own risk
NFL draft bold predictions for the first round
USA TODAY Sports’ panel of NFL experts weighed in Thursday morning with some hot takes for Thursday night. Who might swing a big trade? How many quarterbacks will hear their names called in Round 1? Where could the draft go off the groupthink rails?
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Mock the mocks?
Haven’t slaked your thirst for mock drafts quite yet? We’ve got more for you to peruse ahead of Thursday’s proceedings. Want just one round? Maybe seven? Trust Skynet more than tried and true NFL experts? We’ve got you covered:
▶ Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz’s final mock draft (April 24)
▶ Nate Davis’ final mock draft (April 21)
▶ Chris Bumbaca vs. AI mock draft (April 23)
▶ Ayrton Ostly’s seven-round mock draft (April 24)
NFL draft prospect rankings
NFL draft expert Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz has been evaluating and ranking players ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. Take a dive into his overall assessment plus those of the best offensive weapons:
▶ Top 50 big board (Feb. 25) | Top 200 big board (April 24)
▶ QB rankings
▶ RB rankings
▶ WR rankings
▶ TE rankings
▶ Five potential first-round surprises
▶ Draft’s 10 biggest boom-or-bust prospects
▶ Sleepers to watch out for
2025 NFL draft tracker: First-round picks
1. Tennessee Titans –
2. Cleveland Browns –
3. New York Giants –
4. New England Patriots –
5. Jacksonville Jaguars –
6. Las Vegas Raiders –
7. New York Jets –
8. Carolina Panthers –
9. New Orleans Saints –
10. Chicago Bears –
11. San Francisco 49ers –
12. Dallas Cowboys –
13. Miami Dolphins –
14. Indianapolis Colts –
15. Atlanta Falcons –
16. Arizona Cardinals –
17. Cincinnati Bengals –
18. Seattle Seahawks –
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers –
20. Denver Broncos –
21. Pittsburgh Steelers –
22. Los Angeles Chargers –
23. Green Bay Packers –
24. Minnesota Vikings –
25. Houston Texans –
26. Los Angeles Rams –
27. Baltimore Ravens –
28. Detroit Lions –
29. Washington Commanders –
30. Buffalo Bills –
31. Kansas City Chiefs –
32. Philadelphia Eagles –
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