
The 2024 NFL regular season has reached its thrilling conclusion, and the underperformers have been cast to the wayside while the big guns vie for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LIX at the iconic Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9th.
For the sides that missed out on the lucrative playoffs, attention now turns to fixing key flaws ahead of next season—starting with the ever-important NFL Draft, which is scheduled to take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on April 24-26.
In this article, we’ll explore the franchises hoping to rebuild their roster and restore favouritism in the American football betting markets with the first picks of the 2025 draft—examining how they got there, and speculating on how they might use their coveted selections.
- Tennessee Titans
With a defeat to the Houston Texans and a surprise victory for the New England Patriots over the Buffalo Bills on Week 18, the Tennessee Titans were granted the No.1 pick right at the death of the regular season and will now have free rein on the 2025 draft class.
The Titans will be shopping for a new quarterback after Will Levis’ failure toperform under center this season, and Cam Ward looks likely to be the top pick of the draft after an impressive year for the Miami Hurricanes—throwing 4,313 yards for 39 touchdowns in 13 games.
- Cleveland Browns
After not having a first-round pick last year due to a clause in the trade for Deshaun Watson with Tennessee, the Cleveland Browns will make the second selection of the 2025 draft—and they look likely to further strengthen their defence.
The Browns already have one of the best defensive players in the NFL in their locker room, Myles Garrett, and recruiting Abdul Carter—who made 43 solo tackles and 12 sacks in 2024—out of Penn State could make them a formidable force next season.
- New York Giants
With Daniel Jones leaving MetLife Stadium six years after being picked sixth by the New York Giants and joining the Minnesota Vikings as their third-string quarterback in November, the Giants are also desperate for a new playmaker.
However, New York’s offence needs an entire reshuffle, so the decision-makers in the Big Apple have a big choice to make with this third pick. Do they pick up a QB like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, or do they go for someone like the versatile Travis Hunter—who can play wide receiver and as a corner?
- New England Patriots
Making the short trip north from New York to New England, the Patriots need offensive players to bolster their attack and complement quarterback Drake Maye—who they picked up at third in last year’s draft.
The Patriots are likely to go for a tackle or a guard, like the LSU Tigers’ Will Campbell—who won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2024—so won’t mind the fact that their final week win over the Bills cost them the first pick.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars caught many pundits and fans alike off guard this season, slumping to a 4-13 record after finishing above .500 with two successive 9-8 campaigns under Doug Pederson—who has since been fired as head coach.
While his replacement will want to take the team in a different direction, it’s likely that Trevor Lawrence will remain at QB. Therefore, the Jags could look to improve other others, like cornerback and safety.