2025 NFL Draft: Teams reveal key needs and potential picks in pre-draft pressers

Amid the usual smokescreens and rumors ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, a few candid remarks from coaches and GMs stand out—offering clues about the positions and prospects they are targeting.

The NFL community gives those comments extra weight when they align with the team's most pressing needs.

DAZN News connects the dots—linking the pre-draft comments from coaches and GMs to potential player picks for each team.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders, who hold the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, have frequently been linked to dynamic Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Speaking in his pre-draft news conference, Las Vegas GM John Spytek added to the speculation.

"We just saw Saquon Barkley just change the Eagles in one year," Spytek said, referencing Barkley's dominant, record-setting campaign which powered the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title .

Despite the modern NFL trend of devaluing running backs—due to shorter career spans and increasingly pass-heavy offenses—Spytek isn't buying into the shift.

"There's certain ways to build a team, and I don't know where we got to a place where we don't feel like running backs are valued" he said. "I come from the University of Michigan, and those guys were certainly really valued there. So, it's hard for me to get away from that."

This year's running back class is deep, with plenty of talent projected to come off the board on day two. But only two are considered genuine first-round prospects: Jeanty and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton. Of the two, only Jeanty is deemed worthy of the Raiders' sixth overall selection.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos, who also need a running back, weren't quite as transparent about their intentions to take a running back in the draft.

However, GM George Paton was upfront that he, too, wouldn't be averse to taking a running back in the early rounds.

Denver head coach Sean Payton has a history of selecting running back early, including Reggie Bush in the first round of the 2006 draft, and Mark Ingram 28th overall in 2011.

The Broncos currently hold the 20th overall pick and have been linked to North Carolina's Omarion Hampton with that selection.

Cleveland Browns

There are a handful of players considered talented enough to justify taking with the Browns second overall pick, but Colorado wide receiver/cornerback "unicorn" Travis Hunter, and Penn State's explosive edge rusher Abdul Carter are among the favourites.

The Raiders need an infusion of talent at all three positions, but wide receiver is arguably their most significant need. Speaking at the pre-draft press conference, Berry doubled down on comments made earlier in the draft process that Hunter would primarily fill that role.

Despite making it clear Hunter would primarily be a receiver for the Browns, Berry raved about Hunter's conditioning, discussing how they wouldn't insist on limiting his snaps on either side of the ball.

"The guy barely pants. It's quite incredible"... "We wouldn't necessarily put a cap on what he could do".

New York Giants

The Giants currently own the third overall pick. GM Andrew Schoen indicated that they are open to trading out of that spot, saying they are "open to all options," before adding, "We've received some calls."

Assuming the Giants do not trade their selection, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter appears to be their most obvious choice.

Carter revealed he had a stress reaction in his foot at the NFL Combine, which could have affected his draft stock. However, Schoen was clear that the injury was not an issue for him .

"He feels good. He's working out. He's running. Didn't even know he had it. He went to the combine and it was news to him. I don't think there's going to be much room for pause there."

Watch the NFL draft live and for free on DAZN

The 2025 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 24 at 8pm on the East Coast / 1am Friday in the UK.

This year's NFL Draft will be available to watch for free on NFL Game Pass on DAZN (excluding the US and China).

For more information and to watch for free, click here.

NFL Draft schedule

• Round 1: Thursday, April 24 (8pm ET / 1am BST)
• Rounds 2 and 3: Friday, April 25 (6pm ET / 11pm BST)
• Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 26 (12pm ET / 5pm BST)