As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the excitement and speculation continue to build. With the draft just a week away, teams across the league are gearing up for what could be a thrilling first round. While most of the draft board appears to be taking shape, one of the most unpredictable elements is which teams will make moves to trade up and secure their desired player.
We know Miami quarterback Cam Ward is expected to go No. 1 overall, and there’s strong anticipation for Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Penn State’s Abdul Carter to follow closely behind. But beyond the top picks, the real intrigue lies in the decisions of teams eyeing trades to elevate their draft positions. Here’s a breakdown of the teams most likely to make a move in the first round, including the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and more.
Cleveland Browns and New York Giants: Quarterback Hunt
The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants are in nearly identical situations, both potentially looking to trade up for a quarterback if they don’t secure one of the top options early. The Browns, currently in a quarterback quandary, have no clear answers at the position. Should Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, or Jalen Milroe slip down the board, Cleveland might be forced to move up and secure one of these promising talents.
On the other hand, the New York Giants, while having the option of short-term fixes like Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston, are in desperate need of a future quarterback. While they could wait and hope their guy falls to them in the second round, the Giants might be in a race against the Browns, who are also eyeing a potential quarterback to solve their dilemma.
Could these two teams clash in a trade battle for the top quarterbacks? It’s entirely possible, and one of them will likely need to make a move to avoid losing out on a vital position.
New England Patriots: Trading Up for a Key Piece
The New England Patriots are facing a dilemma of their own, needing to address two crucial positions: left tackle and wide receiver. With the No. 4 pick overall, the Patriots will likely make a decision on one of those positions early in the draft. But don’t be surprised if they make a trade to move back into the first round to secure the other.
Wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden III, or offensive linemen Josh Simmons and Josh Conerly Jr., are some names that could tempt the Patriots into moving up. Depending on how the board shakes out, New England might look to make a strategic leap toward the tail end of the first round, ensuring they don’t miss out on their key target.
Bill Belichick and the Patriots have a history of making unexpected moves, and this year could be no different. With the right player available, don’t count out the possibility of New England jumping back into the first round to round out their roster.
New Orleans Saints: Unlikely, But Possible
The New Orleans Saints have built a solid team, but if the history of their recent drafts is anything to go by, the idea of trading up isn’t entirely off the table. Even though the Saints don’t need to make a major move, they’ve been known to pull off a surprise or two in the past. Should an opportunity arise, especially if a top-tier player slides down the board, the Saints might be tempted to pull the trigger.
Given the team’s relative stability, it seems unlikely they’ll move up drastically. But with a history of unorthodox moves in the draft, don’t completely rule out the possibility of New Orleans shaking things up once again.
San Francisco 49ers: Playing With Plenty of Ammo
The San Francisco 49ers come into the 2025 NFL Draft with a bounty of 11 picks, including several in the early rounds. With needs at premium positions, the 49ers have the flexibility to make a trade-up if the right opportunity presents itself. Should they find themselves just a few picks away from snagging one of the draft’s top edge rushers—perhaps someone like Abdul Carter—San Francisco might look to make a move.
While the 49ers don’t have a pressing need for a top pick, their extensive draft capital could put them in prime position to move up for a game-changing player. Whether it’s a top defensive prospect or another key piece to solidify their roster, the 49ers will likely be aggressive in making sure they get the player they want.
Houston Texans: Strengthening the Line and Receiving Corps
For the Houston Texans, the draft is all about building around quarterback C.J. Stroud. Houston still needs to improve its offensive line and add a complementary receiver to Nico Collins. With Tank Dell’s injury concerns, the Texans could look to jump in front of other teams who need offensive line help or wide receiver depth.
If Houston finds itself in a situation where a valuable O-line prospect or wide receiver falls to the tail end of a position run, the Texans may consider moving up. Their primary goal will be securing players who can protect their franchise quarterback and help Stroud thrive in his early years.
The Bills, Chiefs, and Eagles: Veteran Draft Movers
In addition to the aforementioned teams, there are others that are always looking to make moves. The Buffalo Bills have additional picks this year, giving them the flexibility to move up in the draft. The Kansas City Chiefs, under the direction of GM Brett Veach, are notorious for making trades to bolster their already stacked roster. And of course, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Howie Roseman, are perhaps the league’s most active team when it comes to maneuvering up and down the board.
Each of these teams has the potential to surprise on draft night, as their positions of strength in the league leave them looking to make strategic improvements rather than drastic overhauls. The motivations may differ—whether it’s adding depth or securing a key starter—but all three teams could be active players in the trade-up market.
Draft Night: A Shifting Landscape
As we inch closer to the 2025 NFL Draft, expect a whirlwind of trade activity, especially during the first round. Teams like the Browns, Giants, Patriots, and others are jockeying for position, and with so much talent on the board, no team is likely to sit idle. Whether it’s for a quarterback, a top edge rusher, or an offensive playmaker, the landscape of the NFL Draft could shift dramatically as teams look to trade up and secure their future stars.
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