With only two weeks left in the regular season, the race for the 2025 NFL Draft is heating up, particularly for teams struggling to secure their future. The New York Giants, who hold the league's worst record at 2-13, lead the draft order after suffering their 10th consecutive loss on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Their hopes of turning the franchise around could gravitate toward the selection of a new quarterback, particularly exciting prospects like Shedeur Sanders from Colorado or Cam Ward from Miami.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots, coming off a narrow loss to the Buffalo Bills, now sit at No. 2 on the draft board following their slide from the fifth position. Their playoff hopes long extinguished, the focus has shifted to rebuilding their offense, which features glaring gaps they must address, particularly at the quarterback position.
The updated draft order reflects the current standings:
- 1. New York Giants (2-13)
- 2. New England Patriots (3-12)
- 3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
- 4. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
- 5. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
- 6. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
Several teams, including the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets, also vie for top selections, aiming to infuse their rosters with young talent capable of making immediate impacts. The mock drafts have begun to reflect these changes, with experts projecting the Giants to select one of the top quarterback talents. CBS Sports projects Cam Ward as their cue: "The Giants can be the next dynamic dual threat if they land Ward, who could significantly improve their offensive production."
Over at the Patriots, similar aims guide their draft strategy. The Patriots are expected to target offensive linemen and edge rushers to bolster their beleaguered squad. With their selection, Travis Hunter emerges as the top promising two-way player, able to fill needs at both cornerback and receiver, embodying their philosophy of versatility.
It's not just the first picks drawing attention, as draft conversations expand to include potential trades and projections for later rounds. The Jets, with the fourth-worst record at 4-11, face pivotal decisions about moving forward—specifically, what their future roster looks like under either continued quarterback Aaron Rodgers or the exploration of new talent.
Depending on whether the Jets stick with Rodgers, their approach could significantly alter their draft needs. If the Jets choose to move on from Rodgers, experts suggest they might prioritize securing young talent to replace outgoing defensive stars like Haason Reddick and upgrading their offensive line.
The Jets are projected to take Abdul Carter, EDGE, from Penn State, recognizing their need for explosive pass rushing. According to Sporting News, "Carter would be ideal to jumpstart their defense after they just haven't been effective this season. With so much uncertainty, adding impact players is key." Such foresight could help New York regain traction after years of turmoil.
Potential trades prior to the draft could also shift the order significantly. For example, the Las Vegas Raiders are being closely monitored, especially with their quarterback situation creating waves of uncertainty throughout their franchise. After trading away their former starting quarterback, fans are eager to see how they respond to such significant loss. The potential selection of Shedeur Sanders at No. 6 is already on several experts' radars, particularly if the franchise is intent on changing its offensive strategy moving forward.
Draft strategies can also be influenced by the performances of top collegiate talent during bowl games. The upcoming College Football Playoff provides stage and visibility for many prospects who could radically alter their draft statuses over the next few months. Experts agree, assessing performances against high-level competition can solidify or shake up player's positions come draft day.
With teams like the Dolphins, Texans, and Rams also seeking early-round picks to bolster their squads, expect the final weeks of the NFL to be laden with speculation about the looming draft. Fans are eager to see how the draft network reacts and whether their teams have adequately assessed their needs as they head well-prepared for the future.
