Draft Day Deals: Predicting Which Teams Will Trade Up and Their Potential 2025 NFL Draft Targets

The roar of the crowd, the flash of cameras, and the palpable tension in the air – it can only mean one thing: the NFL Draft is upon us. As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, general managers across the league are undoubtedly strategizing, evaluating talent, and, most importantly, considering potential trade-up scenarios to secure their desired prospects. With the Tennessee Titans holding the coveted first overall pick, the stage is set for a potentially chaotic and unpredictable draft day. Last year, the Cleveland Browns traded the No. 2 pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, which shows that anything can happen.

Teams Primed to Make a Move

Several teams find themselves in positions where trading up could significantly benefit their long-term goals. These teams often possess a combination of factors, including glaring roster needs, ample draft capital, and a sense of urgency to compete.

Cleveland Browns: The Browns are in need of a long-term answer at quarterback. They could wait until Pick No. 33 on Day 2, but another team could leapfrog them into the back end of Round 1 and steal their target. The Minnesota Vikings are likely in the market to move down and accrue more picks, so Pick No. 24 is the ideal spot for a move-up from Pick No. 33.
New York Giants: The Giants are another team that may explore trading up for a quarterback. The Giants’ needs are QB, IOL, OT, LB, DL, CB, EDGE.
New England Patriots: With two major needs and two premium picks, the Patriots are in a prime position to trade up.
Houston Texans: The Texans still desperately need offensive line help and could use another complementary receiver alongside Nico Collins.
San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco is incredibly thin at both edge rusher and interior defender and figures to target one of the two.

Quarterback Carousel: The Driving Force Behind Trade-Ups

The quarterback position remains the most valuable commodity in the NFL, and teams desperate for a franchise signal-caller are often willing to pay a premium to acquire one. Several intriguing quarterback prospects could entice teams to trade up in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Cam Ward (Miami): Ward is a gunslinger with good size, a big arm, and the mobility to help out his offensive line. He can read the full field and operates with average decision-making and processing quickness.
Shedeur Sanders (Colorado): Sanders may be below average in stature and arm talent compared to NFL quarterbacks, but he plays the game cleanly, takes care of the football, and is tough as nails with ice in his veins under pressure.
Jaxson Dart (Mississippi): Dart is another quarterback prospect who could be selected in the first round.
Jalen Milroe (Alabama): Milroe is the most physically gifted quarterback in the 2025 draft class, but he is still far too inconsistent in when and how he delivers the football.

Wide Receiver Renaissance: A New Era of Offensive Firepower

The modern NFL is increasingly reliant on explosive passing offenses, making wide receivers highly coveted assets. Several dynamic wide receiver prospects could prompt teams to trade up and bolster their receiving corps.

Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona): McMillan has All-Pro potential because of his length, athleticism, and football intelligence. He’s a smooth criminal of a receiver who was the focal point of Arizona’s offense.
Luther Burden III (Missouri): Burden was a two-time 1st-Team All-SEC selection, leading Missouri in receptions and touchdowns in both 2023 and 2024.
Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State): Egbuka was a key playmaker and team captain for the 2024 National Champion Buckeyes, leading the team with 81 receptions and setting the Ohio State career record with 205 catches.
Matthew Golden (Texas): Golden is another highly-rated wide receiver prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Travis Hunter (Colorado): Hunter is a legitimate first-round prospect at both wide receiver and cornerback, thanks to some otherworldly ball skills and overall athleticism that make him an impact player on both sides of the ball.

Potential Trade Scenarios: Imagining the Art of the Deal

Predicting specific trades is a challenging endeavor, but we can identify potential scenarios based on team needs, draft capital, and prospect rankings.

The Browns Trade Up for Shedeur Sanders: The Steelers need a long-term answer at quarterback. If Sanders does indeed slide as some are predicting, the Steelers could make a play to bring him to Pittsburgh.
The Giants Trade Up for Jaxson Dart: If the Giants come calling with an irresistible trade package, it might be difficult to turn down.
The Texans Trade Up for Offensive Line Help: The Cardinals have only six picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, so a trade-down to acquire another mid-round selection could be on the cards. The Texans are potential trade partners, thanks to their dire need on the offensive line.

Beyond the Blockbuster: Other Potential Trade-Up Targets

While quarterbacks and wide receivers often dominate the headlines, other positions can also trigger trade-up scenarios. Edge rushers, offensive tackles, and cornerbacks are all premium positions where teams might feel compelled to move up and secure a top prospect.

Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State): The Bears may get aggressive for an impact defender like Penn State’s Abdul Carter.
Jalon Walker (EDGE/LB, Georgia): Carolina added depth next to Derrick Brown by signing Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton, but the team still hasn’t addressed its biggest defensive need — finding a true replacement for Brian Burns off the edge.

The 2025 NFL Draft promises to be an event filled with intrigue, excitement, and, of course, potential trade-up scenarios. As teams jockey for position to acquire their desired prospects, fans can expect a wild ride filled with unexpected twists and turns. Only time will tell which teams will ultimately pull the trigger and make the bold moves necessary to shape their franchises for years to come.