The 2025 NFL Draft will be kicking off in just a few hours and to get your ready for the action, we're going to cover everything you need to know from the start time to the order of picks to the latest trade speculation and we'll even be making some predictions about how the first round is going to turn out.
When you get this close to the draft, it's hard to figure out what information is real and what's not. Basically, everything is a smokescreen. Even the smokescreens are smokescreens, but we'll be here to help you figure out what's real.
If you're wondering how to watch the draft tonight, let's go ahead and answer that one now: It kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and it will be televised by ESPN, ABC and NFL Network. If you want to know the full order of picks for all seven rounds, we've got that in our draft tracker here.
Alright, now that we've got the important stuff out of the way, let's get to the rumors and speculation.
It's hard to imagine the Browns trade away a chance to get Travis Hunter, but it looks like they're at least considering it. According to The Athletic, Browns general manager Andrew Berry is still taking phone calls for the second overall pick. It will be interesting to see if Cleveland ends up trading down.
In what will likely go down as the most bizarre trade of the day, the Browns and Texans have decided to exchange a few draft picks.
The Texans are getting three picks in the deal while the Browns will be getting two fifth-round picks.
If you're wondering why either team would make this trade, it makes sense from the Browns' end. They're likely stockpiling draft picks that they can use to trade back into the first round to grab a quarterback. Don't be surprised if those two fifth-round picks get traded again later tonight.
Every year, it seems like the Eagles have the perfect player for their system fall right into their lap, so it won't be surprising at all if it happens again this year. Howie Roseman could certainly try to trade up, but if the Eagles stay put, they'll likely make a defensive pick here. They could look to improve their secondary or possibly even add some defensive line help with Josh Sweat and Milton Williams now gone.
The Eagles could also look to add a tight end if they end up trading Dallas Goedert over the next three days.
Prediction: Trey Amos or Nic Scourton
In last year's draft, the Chiefs traded up from 32nd overall to 28th overall to grab Xavier Worthy. According to The Athletic, the Chiefs will be open to making a similar trade in 2025 if a player they like falls in the draft. The Chiefs will likely look to draft someone in the trenches on the offensive or defensive line, but if they don't do that, then adding a pass-rusher would make a lot of sense.
Prediction: Chiefs select Josh Conerly Jr. or Tyleik Williams with the 31st overall pick
On one hand, the Bills could certainly add a receiving weapon for Josh Allen, but if they don't go that route, it feels like a near certainty that they'll end up taking a defensive player. Cornerback is probably their biggest need at this point, but they could also use some safety or defensive line help.
Prediction: Bills select Malaki Starks or Trey Amos with the 30th overall pick
This draft will mark the first time in 23 years that the Commanders have had a first-round pick outside the top 25. So what are they going to do with it? After losing Dante Fowler Jr. to the Cowboys in free agency, Washington could definitely use some pass-rushing help, but if that's not there, the Commanders could target a corner or a receiver. There could also be a push in the building to get some protection for Jayden Daniels.
Prediction: Commanders select Josh Conerly Jr. or James Pearce Jr. with the 29th overall pick
CBS Sports NFL reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala has already reported that Dart could be a top 10 pick, and now Jeff Howe of The Athletic has reported that there are at least four teams that could be targeting Dart.
Two weeks ago, it didn't seem like Dart was going to be a first-round pick, now, it's looking like he could be the second QB taken.
The Lions have plenty of needs, which is a good thing when you're picking at 28th overall, because you never know who's going to be available. The Lions could use a pass-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, but they could also used some defensive help in a few other spots like safety and the defensive line. Detroit could also use some offensive line help. Basically, you shouldn't be surprised by anything the Lions do here.
Prediction: Lions select Donovan Jackson or Donovan Ezeiruaku with the 28th overall pick
The Ravens already have one good safety in Kyle Hamilton and if the board falls the way we have it falling so far, they could get a safety to pair him with. The Ravens three biggest needs are probably corner, safety and the offensive line. There's a good chance that one of the top two safeties could be available when the Ravens pick here and if that's the case, the Ravens will probably grab him.
Prediction: Ravens select Nick Emmanwori or Malaki Starks with 27th overall pick
I would like everyone to know that this is a rumor and I have no idea if it's actually true, but if it is, Rodgers might be ready to sign with the Steelers, and if that's the case, Pittsburgh might not need to take a QB in the first round tonight.
The Rams might eventually draft a QB this year, but it likely won't come in the first round. Instead, the most likely scenario is that they go for a cornerback, linebacker or tight end.
There are only tight ends who are viewed as first-round prospects -- Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren -- so the Rams will likely have to trade up if they want to grab one of those two guys, and trading up is something they're serious considering.
If they don't trade up, there's a good chance the Rams will grab someone on the defensive side of the ball.
Prediction: Rams select Jihaad Campbell or Maxwell Hairston with the 26th overall pick
If there's one AFC general manager who loves to make a draft day trade, it's Nick Caserio. If you need proof, just look at 2023 when the Texans selected CJ Stroud before trading back to the THIRD OVERALL pick to get Will Anderson. According to The Athletic, the Texans have already been making calls about possibly trading up.
The Texans need some serious help on the offensive line, so don't be surprised if that's the route they go here.
Prediction: Texans select Josh Simmons or Tyler Booker at 25th overall (or trade up)
CBS Sports NFL reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala has some juicy information from Green Bay: Not only are the Jaguars possibly looking to make a trade down, but if that happens, they could end up taking Tetairoa McMillan.
The Jaguars currently have the fifth overall pick, but no one seems to think that they'll actually stay there. The betting markets have the Bears trading to fifth overall and grabbing Ashton Jeanty, which means the Jags would move down to 10th overall.
The Vikings only have four picks in the ENTIRE draft, which is the fewest of any team in the NFL, so they're going to be under a lot of pressure to make a great pick here. CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones reported that the Vikings will likely look to trade down so they can accrue more picks.
No matter where they pick, the Vikings will probably look to draft either an offensive linemen or a player in the secondary.
Prediction: Vikings select Tyler Booker with the 24th overall pick or trade down
It sure sounds like Sanders has no idea where he'll be going tonight
He was pegged as a top-10 pick at one point, but now, there's at least a chance that he might fall out of the first round.
With the draft in Green Bay, all eyes at Lambeau Field will be watching the 23rd pick closely. If the Packers want to throw a curveball here, they could draft a receiver in the first round for the first time in 23 years, but this is the Packers, so that likely won't happen. The Packers need some help on defense with corner, pass-rusher and defensive line all being an option in the first round, so be on the look out for that.
Prediction: Packers select Maxwell Hairston or Emeka Egbuka with the 23rd overall pick
This feels like a draft where the Chargers will do their best to help Herbert and they'll do that by adding an offensive weapon at receiver or tight end. The problem for the Chargers is that all the first round talent at those two positions might be gone by the time they go on the clock at 22nd overall. If that happens, it could make some sense to trade back or just stay put and take a defensive player.
Prediction: Chargers select Treveyon Henderson or Emeka Egbuka at 22nd overall
There are 15 players in Green Bay for the draft tonight and they're all going to have their own walk-up song. The NFL released the full list today and it seems that Gunna and Rod Wave were the most popular choice of artist.
With Aaron Rodgers still undecided about what he's going to do in 2025, the Steelers still find themselves in need of a quarterback and this is likely going to be the pick where it happens. The Steelers don't have a second-round pick, which is why they'll need to take a QB here.
Right now, there's a lot of speculation that's connecting them with Shedeur Sanders....
... However, don't rule out Jaxson Dart.
Prediction: Steelers select Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart with the 21st overall pick
If there's one team that's been drawing trade speculation all week, it's the Denver Broncos. According to at least one report, the Broncos are looking to trade up and if that happens, they would likely target an offensive skill player. According to ESPN, the Broncos are also taking phone calls from teams behind them who want to TRADE UP into the 20th spot, so Denver could trade back.
If a team is looking to take a quarterback, then 20th overall is a valuable spot because it's one pick ahead of the Steelers who will likely be looking to take a quarterback. So it wouldn't be crazy to see the Giants or Browns try to trade into the 20th spot.
According to Broncos beat writer Mike Klis, trading back seems like the more likely option for Denver if the team decides to make a trade.
For what it's worth, Sean Payton's daughter, Megan, thinks the team will make a play for Ashton Jeanty, but eventually settle for running back Omarion Hampton.
Prediction: Broncos select Omarion Hampton with the 20th overall pick or trade down
If you look at the Buccaneers' needs heading into the draft, they're almost all on the defensive side of the ball. They could use a linebacker or a corner or even a pass-rusher. In our final round of mock drafts here at CBS Sports, six of our seven writers had the Bucs taking Alabama linebacker Jihaad Cambell and that's a pick that would make a lot of sense.
Prediction: Buccaneers select Jihaad Campbell or Donovan Ezeiruaku with 19th overall pick
The Seahawks will likely grab one of three positions with their first round pick: Offensive line, receiver or defensive back. The good news for the Seahawks is that they should have plenty of options when they go on the clock at 19th overall.
Prediction: Seahawks select Tyler Booker or Grey Zabel
If you watched the Bengals play last season, then you're probably well aware that they need some defensive help and this will be there chance to get it. The ongoing contract drama with Trey Hendrickson doesn't help anything, but no matter how that turns out, the Bengals need to add some pass-rushing help and it won't be a shocker if they end up getting that with this pick.
Prediction: Bengals select Derrick Harmon or Mykel Williams with 17th overall pick
We are officially halfway through the draft. And since it's halftime, let's take a look at another rumor that's floating around: Apparently, the Jets might be shopping Breece Hall.
One team we haven't heard much from in the lead up to the draft is the Cardinals. There haven't really been any trade rumors involving the Cardinals, but if they do make a deal, it would likely be so they could move down and acquire more picks.
The Cards have a lot of needs from offensive line to receiver to pass-rusher to defensive line to corner, so there are a lot of ways they could go with this pick.
Prediction: Cardinals select Kenneth Grant or Jahdae Barron with the 16th overall pick
There will be a lot of eyes on the Falcons in this draft, but that's mostly because everyone will be looking to see if Atlanta is actually going to trade Kirk Cousins. When it comes to making a draft pick, it's almost a lock that the Falcons will be taking a defensive player here. They need help at every defensive position, especially pass-rusher and it won't be surprising if that's the route they end up going here.
The Falcons shocked everyone by using their first-round pick on Michael Penix Jr. last year, but don't expect any big shockers this time around.
Prediction: Falcons select Mykel Williams or Mike Green with the 15th overall pick
The Colts are in serious need of a tight end, so it feels like the only question is whether they'll get one at 14th overall or even sooner. CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones has reported that the Colts are a team to watch to possibly trade up. There are two first-round worthy tight ends in this draft -- Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren -- and the Colts will likely do whatever they need to do to make sure they come out of the draft with one of those players.
Prediction: Colts select Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren at 14th overall
The Dolphins have 10 picks, which is tied for the second-most in the draft, and apparently, they're open to acquiring even more. According to The Athletic, the Dolphins are open to trading down. One team to watch here could be the Broncos, who have shown some interest in trading up.
If the Dolphins don't make a trade, this feels like a spot where they'll look to improve the trenches by taking someone on the offensive or defensive line. That being said, NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus thinks the Dolphins might end up taking a defensive back in Michigan's Will Johnson.
Prediction: Dolphins select Walter Nolen or Will Johnson at 13th overall
One of the Cowboys' biggest needs is at receiver and if the board falls the way we have it falling, they would be in the ideal situation here: The top two receivers in the draft not named Travis Hunter would still be on the board and the Cowboys could take the one they like better.
Six of our seven draft writers have the Cowboys taking Tetairoa McMillan or Matthew Golden. The only writer who doesn't have the Cowboys taking a receiver is Mike Renner, who has them trading up to fifth overall to get ASHTON JEANTY (You can see Renner's full mock here).
Prediction: Cowboys select Tetairoa McMillan or Matthew Golden with the 12th overall pick
The 49ers feel like the first true wild card of the draft. They have plenty of needs, like defensive line, pass-rusher or offensive line, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see them trade back in the first round. If the 49ers go with a defensive player here, they'd be able to get the top defensive lineman or one of the top pass-rushers. One 49ers beat writer has the team taking Shemar Stewart with the 11th pick and that would make a lot of sense.
Prediction: 49ers select Shemar Stewart or Walter Nolen at 11th overall
Note: If Mason graham somehow falls to the 49ers, they'll likely think long and hard about taking him.
