As the NFL draft approaches, mock draft are getting more and more creative. One easy way to get creative with a mock draft is to predict trades.
While it is unusual for trades to happen near the top of the NFL draft, this year could be a different story with all the uncertainty at the top.
In the latest mock draft from CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli, he has the Giants trading down with the Carolina Panthers, who jump up to select top pass rusher Abdul Carter.
More news: NFL Mock Draft 2025 4.0: Updated Prediction of First Round With Trades
He also has the Jacksonville Jaguars trading down with the San Francisco 49ers, who jump to five to select offensive lineman Armand Membou.
Both trades are relatively realistic, as the Panthers and 49ers seem like logical trade up candidates given the number of picks they have.
The Giants trading down in this scenario, however, seems very unrealistic, as they pass on Carter to select receiver Tetairoa McMillan instead, who is viewed by many as a much worse prospect than Carter.
The Jaguars pick tight end Tyler Warren with the 11th pick after trading down, which would be an interesting pick after moving on from veteran tight end Evan Engram this offseason.
Ed Mulholland/Getty Images
Another huge trade from this mock draft involves the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints shockingly trade up for another pick in the first round to select Shedeur Sanders.
More news: Latest NFL Draft Rumors Could Force Patriots to Trade Down
Along with taking Sanders 19th, the team also selects top cornerback prospect Will Johnson at ninth overall. This seems like a potential strategy for any team looking for a quarterback, especially if Sanders falls toward the end of the first round as he does in this mock draft.
Beyond that there aren’t any other trades, which is interesting, given all the trades involve teams in the top 10.
Other interesting parts of the mock draft include the Colts passing on tight end to select edge rusher Mykel Williams. The Broncos also pass on a running back for an edge rusher in Mike Green.
Loveland falls all the way to 26 to the Los Angeles Rams, who would get a steal at a position of need if this were to happen. The Steelers select running back Omarion Hampton right after the Broncos, with makes a lot of sense with Sanders coming off the board two picks prior.
Overall, while these trades may not make perfect sense on paper if multiple big trades occur at the top of the draft, the 2025 NFL draft would be very interesting to watch.
For more on the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.