Updated 2025 NFL Draft order: Giants take solo lead for No. 1 pick after Raiders' win in Week 16 | Sporting News United Kingdom
With only two weeks left in the regular football season, the competition for the top draft pick is tighter than it has ever been.
The league is nearing the end of the season, as most of the games in Week 16 have been played. Teams are securing playoff positions rapidly, while some others have been knocked out of postseason contention. For those not eyeing the playoffs, attention now turns to the upcoming NFL draft.
As Week 16 began, the Raiders held the top position in the draft picks, but that has now shifted. On Sunday, Las Vegas secured its third victory of the season by beating the Jaguars away from home, bringing their record to 3-12. This win caused the Raiders to slip from first to sixth in the draft order. Meanwhile, the Jaguars’ defeat elevated them to the third position in the draft.
Consequently, the Giants are the only team this season with only two victories, putting them in prime position for the top draft pick. New York played its role in maintaining its chances for the first overall selection by taking a heavy defeat against Atlanta, which now places them firmly in the front row for the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In other news, the Titans, Browns, and Patriots all faced defeats in Week 16, keeping their hopes for the first overall draft pick intact with only a few weeks left in the regular season.
The Cowboys made things harder for themselves by defeating the Buccaneers on Sunday, which probably means they’ll miss out on a top-10 draft pick.
Here's an overview of the NFL Draft order following the events of Week 16.
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2025 NFL Draft Order Revealed
Check out the top 10 NFL Draft candidates, according to Vinnie Iyer's most recent 2025 rankings:
The 2025 NFL Draft is set to feature an abundance of talented players. Among them, two stand out from the same university: versatile athlete Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Hunter, who excels as both a wide receiver and cornerback, has recently been awarded the 2024 Heisman Trophy. It is anticipated that he will focus on one position when he enters the NFL, but he has demonstrated his talent and influence on both offense and defense. Meanwhile, Sanders is likely to be among the top quarterbacks selected in the upcoming draft, alongside Cam Ward from Miami and Jalen Milroe from Alabama, who are also projected to be early picks.
Ashton Jeanty, who finished second for the Heisman Trophy at Boise State, had an incredible season rushing the ball, making it one of the best in college football history. He's clearly the standout running back in this year’s draft, and discussions about where he will be picked are sure to heat up as the draft approaches.
On the defensive side of things, three standout players from the Big Ten are expected to lead the 2025 draft class: Mason Graham and Will Johnson from Michigan, along with Abdul Carter, the edge rusher from Penn State.
