Who will have the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? NFL Playoff Predictor predicts doom and gloom for NFC heavyweights
The 2024 NFL Draft was a big success for a lot of teams, as the deep classes at multiple positions gave several teams a lot to be excited about in the future. However, not all teams should be excited about what's coming in 2025. For some teams, it will be more of the same, perhaps even worse than it was in 2024. Here's who might end up picking first overall in 2025.
Who will pick first in 2025 NFL Draft?
The first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was held by the Chicago Bears through the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers were abysmal in 2024 and could be in for a long season once again. However, the playoff simulator, which predicted every single game and every team's record, doesn't think they'll pick first.
Sportskeeda's 17-week NFL Playoff Predictor predicted who will do the best, but also who will be the league's worst team. In 2025, the predictor believes there won't be anyone close to as bad as the New York Giants.
It expects them to go an astonishing 1-16, which for reference is one game worse than the 2024 Panthers. Following the Giants are the Denver Broncos, who clearly could have waited and passed on Bo Nix for a quarterback with the second overall pick in 2025. They went 4-13 in the simulation.
AFC heavyweight, the Los Angeles Chargers, are picking high once more. After a simulated 5-12 season, they're picking third overall. The Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals round out the top five picks, both also finishing 5-12.
That is where the Panthers fall, though 6-11 would obviously be a big improvement. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets (even with a healthy Aaron Rodgers), and New England Patriots also went 6-11 in the simulation.
Picking 10th again after they traded up to that spot last year are the Minnesota Vikings. They went 7-10, as did the following teams in this draft order:
- Indianapolis Colts
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tennessee Titans
- Green Bay Packers
Several playoff or borderline playoff teams are in this mix, so it could be a disappointing turn for them in 2025. The Atlanta Falcons pick 15th after going 8-9, and they are followed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns, who all had the same record. Every other team made the postseason.