![Cape Cod is a popular tourist destination for Massachusetts residents and enjoy the scenery that the coastal area has to offer. Unfortunately, Cape Cod is being faced with consequences of climate change such as rising sea levels, erosion and a loss of biodiversity. “[My family and I] have been going there since 1984, so we really watched the Cape shrink every year,” lifelong Cape Cod visitor Mary Hicks said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-13-at-1.35.03 PM.png)
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For some collegiate football players, their childhood dreams will be fulfilled in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26 with the National Football League (NFL) draft taking place. During these three days, seven rounds and 259 draft picks will be selected by 32 different teams. My predictions, barring any trades for these elite prospects in the top 10 NFL Draft, are as follows.
1. Tennessee Titans – Travis Hunter (Wide Receiver/ Cornerback – University of Colorado)
Travis Hunter is very adamant about playing both offense and defense in the NFL, however I don’t see a future as a two way starter transpiring in the NFL. Hunter is an exceptional athlete on the collegiate level, even winning the Heisman for the 2024 season. This award is given to the best overall player in College Football. However, the NFL is a much different league. I expect any team that drafts Hunter to play him where they need him and maybe use his skills on both sides of the ball. Hunter could serve as a gadget player, someone who is used on both offense and defense but doesn’t start on both sides of the ball. I expect the Titans to select him and have him start at wide receiver which is a need for them at the moment. In my opinion, Hunter is a better corner prospect, but I believe he can play receiver at a high level as well. The Titans will want Hunter on offense due to their weak wide receiver room.
2. Cleveland Browns – Cam Ward (Quarterback – University of Miami)
Following the season ending Achilles injury of Quarterback (QB) Deshaun Watson in week seven, the Browns are in dire need of a competent quarterback. Cam Ward led all of Division I in passing touchdowns in 2024 with 39 touchdowns. I think if Ward is drafted in a situation in which he can thrive and grow as a player, then he can fulfill his potential.
3. New York Giants -Abdul Carter (Edge rusher – University of Pennsylvania)
Although whispers of a fractured foot are swirling around Carter, he still participated in his Pro Day, in which he did fantastic. The injury will be healed by the time of the draft, and I think it will be a non-factor. The Giants’ defense was particularly weak last season, so Carter is a fantastic draft choice here and he will be a great addition in New York.
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell (Tackle – Louisiana State University)
It’s no secret that the Patriots’ offensive line was subpar this year. New England has been struggling with their offensive line for a couple years now. At pick No. 4, they can correct their past mistakes and select Campbell, a fantastic prospect and arguably the best offensive lineman in this draft, who is sure to protect young quarterback Drake Maye.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham (Defensive tackle – University of Michigan)
Mason Graham as a junior has proved himself to be a force on the defensive line playing Tackle. He played an integral role in Michigan’s National Championship season and in the game where they shut down Ohio State’s dynamic rushing attack, filled with NFL talent. The Jaguars are in need of force on defense especially on the line. Hopefully Graham is able to change things around in Jacksonville.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Tetairoa McMillan (Wide receiver – University of Arizona)
Las Vegas is in need of a true wide receiver star The Raiders can’t rely on their tight end, Brock Bowers, and weak receiver room to lead their receiving attack. Tetoria McMillian is one of the best receiver prospects in this draft, a smooth route runner standing at 6 feet 4 inches, is not something you will see in the NFL draft very often. He will be a big help to the Raiders new QB, Geno Smith.
7. New York Jets – Shedeur Sanders (Quarterback – University of Colorado)
With the offseason departure of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Jets are in desperate needs of a competent quarterback to lead their team. In my opinion, Sanders doesn’t deserve to be a top 10 pick, but with limited options in this draft quarterback wise, Shedeur is the best they can get.
8. Carolina Panthers – James Pearce Jr. (Edge – University of Tennessee)
Rumors of locker room problems have been swirling around Pearce Jr. since the end of the season. However, he had a phenomenal senior season at Tennessee, and I don’t think that this alone will jeopardize his draft stock in a major way. Carolina had one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2024, after Pearce Jr.’s solid combine performance, I think Carolina will draft him within the top 10. During the combine, Pearce Jr. drew eerily similar comparisons to former Panthers defensive lineman Brian Burns. They both stand at 6 foot 5 inches, weigh within 5 pounds of each other, and their 40 yard dashes also finished within the same second along with a 0.1 second difference in their 10 yard split. I think Carolina will resist the outside noise and go with their gut and help out their struggling defense.
9. New Orleans Saints – Luther Burden III (Wide receiver – University of Missouri)
The instinct of many NFL fans is to acquire the Quarterback of the future, unfortunately for the Saints this is not something they are able to accomplish currently. As of now the Saints hold negative $54 million in cap space, ranking dead last in the NFL. So, picking up a starting caliber quarterback in free agency isn’t in the picture. New Orleans is also in a tough spot with their starting quarterback Derek Carr. They have him under contract for four more years, they can’t waste all that money and draft a quarterback in a particularly weak class such as this one. I think the Saints will draft a surefire starting caliber wide receiver in Luther Burden III, and he will assist them in their future passing attack.
10. Chicago Bears – Ashton Jeanty (Running back – Boise State University)
While Chicago has many holes to fill within their roster, I think that they will pick the best all around player at this point in the draft. Jeanty is a phenomenal running back prospect, finishing second in Heisman voting in college football this year. He will hopefully bring some explosiveness to the table for the Bears offense.
