The NFL draft isn't a static event where teams remain slotted and simply wait their turn. Nope, some world-class bartering happens with millions of dollars and someone's destiny on the line while a handful of minutes tick away on the clock.

A good or bad move can change a franchise's entire trajectory.

For example, a draft-day trade led to Patrick Mahomes donning a Kansas City Chiefs uniform. Conversely, the New York Jets trading up for Sam Darnold didn't work out, though he is doing quite well now with the Minnesota Vikings.

Many will argue that an organization should let the draft come to it, and some do take that approach. The Baltimore Ravens often do, though they traded up to acquire Lamar Jackson at the back end of the 2018 first round.

When it's all said and done, the draft is all about individuals. Those talented individuals then enter a new situation, which could make or break their professional careers. Some aggressiveness to get the right person on the right team with the right staff is well worth surrendering a few extra assets to get it done.

For next April's draft, a handful of targets should garner extra attention with multiple franchises fighting for their services, starting with the quarterbacks, of course.

QB Cam Ward, Miami

Miami's Cam Ward is not the No. 1 overall prospect for the 2025 NFL draft. He's not even ranked as a top-five prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's latest draft board. He is the top-rated quarterback, though.

Positional value matters, particularly in a QB-driven league. Others may be viewed as more talented overall, but the quarterback position always takes precedence if a team doesn't have a quality starter behind center.

Ward has as good a chance as anyone of becoming this year's No. 1 overall pick. However, the New England Patriots currently sit in that top spot. They don't need a quarterback, with Drake Maye looking like a legitimate dude.

So, let the bidding war begin.

With the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns currently owning the second and third overall draft picks, respectively, other quarterback-starved teams will look to trade into that top spot. The Browns may even try to leapfrog the Titans in order to guarantee landing their preferred choice.

The Patriots, meanwhile, own the league's worst roster. They should welcome extra assets to improve their lineup. How far the franchise actually wants to move down could be a limiting factor. Still, Jerod Mayo and Co. sit in the driver's seat for the 2025 NFL draft.

Potential Suitors: Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New York Jets

QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Once Cam Ward is off the board, a mad scramble should ensue among teams still looking to land the class' QB2. In this case, Shedeur Sanders is up next.

Granted, the Colorado product could end up as QB1, but his situation is a tad different. Meaning, the second-generation star has a famous and vocal father/head coach, who could help manipulate the draft in order to have his son join a specific franchise.

"It will be multiple idiot that will say things that totally aren't true regarding where I would like Shedeur and Shilo Sanders to play in the NFL," Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders tweeted. "If I say it, I will say it directly to whom it may concern, not a attention-seeker. I do know NFL commish personally!"

With a potential Eli Manning-like situation forthcoming, which NFL franchises may benefit the most?

Well, the Tennessee Titans, who currently sit in the two-hole, may not be one. Maybe the Sanders family decides Tennessee—a state with no income tax—is a perfectly acceptable landing spot. If not, the door swings wide open for a trade, with the New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints all in play.

From that point, it comes down to two factors: Sanders' preferred destination and whether that franchise is willing to give up what's necessary to secure a deal.

Keep in mind, the quarterback class drops off dramatically once Ward and Sanders are off the board. Scarcity will play a large role in these negotiations.

Potential Suitors: Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets

Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State

Once the quarterbacks are off the board, the 2025 first round won't go chalk for the rest of the way, not with a prospect of Abdul Carter's caliber still on the board.

To be clear, the Penn State product is far from a finished product. He shifted from off-ball linebacker to full-time edge defender this fall. His lack of experience and technique show up at times.

"This season, Penn State has often taken Carter off the field in run situations," B/R scout Matt Holder wrote in the edge-defender's scouting report. "While this can come with more time and experience on the edge, his block recognition isn't there yet, which is most noticeable against pullers. ...

"Additionally, Carter lacks the strength to get extension and consistently hold his ground against offensive tackles in the running game.

"With that, he'd be best used as a pass-rush specialist to begin his career."

As the season progressed, Carter became more and more comfortable. At times, Big Ten competition couldn't block him, particularly as a pass-rusher.

The conference's defensive player of the year has as much or more upside than any other prospect in the upcoming class.

Carter's not perfect by any means, but a weaker group of top-10 talents coupled with his potential at a premium position make for an enticing target to the point where the Cleveland Browns could consider him with the third overall pick.

Potential Suitors: Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints

CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Injuries have taken their toll on the 2025 cornerback class.

Travis Hunter is the class' No. 1 overall prospect. He's expected to be a slam-dunk top-three selection.

Some NFL front offices may even view the Colorado product as a wide receiver instead of playing him primarily on the defensive side of the ball. From there, Michigan's Will Johnson is believed to be another future top-10 selection.

Texas' Jahdae Barron is next in line, with little to no competition as CB3. A drop-off appears because of season-ending injuries to East Carolina's Shavon Revel Jr. and Notre Dame's Benjamin Morrison.

Both of those cornerbacks could still find their way into the first round depending on medical reports and how their upside is viewed internally. But the risk is obvious, particularly if an organization is looking for a first-round prospect to fill a premium position.

Barron, meanwhile, is a playmaker along the back end who's capable of becoming a defense-defining addition because of his versatility. The reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner can line up all over the field, with the instincts and nose to find the football.

As such, an investment in a trade-up may be a better risk assessment than investing in another talented defensive back with health concerns.

Potential Suitors: Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders

OG Tyler Booker, Alabama

Alabama's Tyler Booker may seem like an odd choice, because pure guard prospects don't hold as much value as other positions. But NFL teams are desperately searching for plug-and-play offensive linemen. Booker fits the bill.

Every year, quality starting blockers are often found during the draft's second day. Brandon Coleman, O'Cyrus Torrence and Luke Goedeke are examples over the last three classes.

Booker brings a different vibe as a physical tone-setter. The 6'5", 325-pound guard is a people-mover. He's going to uproot defenders in the run game and rock them with his pass help.

From a macro point of view, the NFL has an offensive-line development problem. Limited practice time is compounded by even fewer opportunities to operate under full-go conditions. Furthermore, not many collegiate offenses are geared to handle trench-play in the same manner as the professional game.

An opportunity to move up—likely early in the second round or possibly even into the late first—to claim a guard like Booker who should immediately slide into the starting lineup, is a must based on how poor some of the league's O-line play really is.

Potential Suitors: Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks