5 Predictions for the NFL Draft Shocker

The 2025 NFL Draft is 38 days away, and oddly, not a single trade has occurred involving a 2025 1st-Round pick.

5 Predictions for the NFL Draft Shocker

Strange days.

And when the NFL world gets to April 24th, there’s destined to be a shocker or two — like Michael Penix Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons last year when that franchise handed Kirk Cousins $100 million guaranteed six weeks prior.

In that vein, these are five bold predictions for the NFL Draft shocker, ranked in no particular order.

1. RB Omarion Hampton Flies off the Board in Top 12

Because the entire NFL community watched as Saquon Barkley gashed three teams in the playoffs en route to a Super Bowl, franchises won’t skimp at running back for the foreseeable future.

Ashton Jeanty will be gone before Hampton — more on that later — but some squad will scoop Hampton earlier than his consensus big board ranking. Think: Jahmry Gibbs in 2023.

Candidates include the Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys.

2. Rams Reach for Jaxson Dart

Some Rams fans rejoiced as the Matthew Stafford trade talk turned out all for nil. But let’s face it — Stafford has only about a year or two left. He’s already contemplating the end; he won’t replicate Tom Brady’s mid-40s majesty.

Therefore, Los Angeles drafts Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart to prepare for the Stafford afterlife. The youngster will watch and learn for a year or two, and eventually, the 26th overall pick will take the reins in Southern California.

3. Ashton Jeanty to the Patriots

Don’t kid yourself: the Patriots should probably draft Tetairoa McMillan here and pair him with Drake Maye for the next decade.

But Jeanty is just too irresistible after the Eagles won a chip because of the aforementioned Barkley.

New England already proved last year that it didn’t mind one bit employing men like DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, and Kayshon Boutte at wide receiver. Maybe it’ll roll with that group again, draft a wideout in Round 2, and onboard Jeanty to take the pressure off Maye for the next five years.

The RB pendulum swings with Jeanty as a Top 4 pick.

4. Abdul Carter Falls Out of Top 3

On Thursday, April 24th, the draft order unfolds:

1) Travis Hunter
2) Cam Ward
3) Shedeur Sanders

No one is too sure how trades might affect the top of the draft, so we’ll leave the teams anonymous. Carter falls out of the Top 3 and becomes a steal for a team like the Raiders or Jets.

5. Not Needing a WR, Vikings Take Luther Burden Anyway

The Vikings don’t need a wide receiver. However, after forging a phenomenal and busy free agency last week, crossing each and every long-term roster need off the books, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can truly select the best player available at Pick No. 24.

Stunningly, that man will be Luther Burden, and J.J. McCarthy will feast in his kind-of rookie season with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Luther Burden, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.