2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
It seems as though everyone is posting mock drafts this week, so I figured that I should follow suit. These are just fun exercises at this point because we know nothing about trades or how teams feel about individual prospects. We’re merely giving our best current guesses based on team needs and perceived fit. Last year’s first mock draft wasn’t very accurate, and this one won’t be either as we’re simply too far from the main event. As with most other mock drafts, trades are not included here, but I might mention that option if I think it’s warranted. Welcome to version 1.0 of my 2025 NFL mock draft!
1. Tennessee Titans – QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Tennessee was fortunate to land the top pick, but they did so in a draft that is bereft of generational talent. Will Levis is most definitely not the answer for the Titans, so coach Brian Callahan needs his own guy to develop. Assuming his father allows it, I can see this team selling themselves on Sanders. Growing up in a football household, he has a great football IQ, and he throws with accuracy and anticipation. He has also demonstrated the ability to play behind a poor offensive line. His arm talent isn’t elite, but it looks good enough to “make all the throws”. Sanders can certainly be the face of this franchise.
2. Cleveland Browns – QB Cam Ward, Miami
I’m not 100% sure that the Browns are looking for a QB. Deshaun Watson is going to be a Brown for at least the next two years, though Achilles surgery and a general lack of effectiveness mean that Cleveland shouldn’t hesitate to find an upgrade. The only other consensus first-round QB in this draft, Ward started at Incarnate Word and starred before doing the same at Washington State. His final year as a Miami Hurricane was Heisman finalist-worthy. He has a big arm, decent accuracy, and mobility. Ward is also very cool under pressure; nothing flusters him. Whether he can play within structure is the real debate here.
3. New York Giants – WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
The Giants’ victory over Indianapolis in week 17 ruined their chance to pick first, and it will likely cost them a shot at the top QBs. New York badly needs one, but they need pretty much everything. Hunter can play as either a WR or a CB…or both if he gets his way. The reigning Heisman trophy winner, Hunter has teams divided on his superior position, as he’s quite good at both of them. I think the most likely option, especially with the Giants, would be to play at CB full time and have some offensive subpackages at WR. Regardless of where he ultimately plays, Hunter is widely expected to be the first non-QB off the board.
4. New England Patriots – EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
I could see the Patriots going with any premium position other than QB. They need help in the trenches, in the secondary, and at the skill positions. The highest-ranked remaining prospect on most boards is Carter, and NE could definitely use him. While not my top edge rusher just yet, he is loved by scouts. He reminds them of Micah Parsons, though that may be due their common school. Carter is slightly undersized but doesn’t play like it. He’s a good tackler in the run game and he comes with incredible burst. Speed is his defining trait, and that’s what could make him a star at the next level.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Despite not currently possessing a GM, Jacksonville still gets assigned somebody. This is a team that needs some sort of talent in the secondary, because they’ve got none. Without question, the first CB to be picked will be Will Johnson. He has all the traits: size, speed, and production. A toe injury derailed his 2024 campaign, yet he still had two pick sixes in the 6 games he played. Michigan has become a bit of a defensive factory, and Johnson is at the forefront of that. While he won’t instantly fix the Jaguars’ defense (they’re too bad for one player to repair), he’ll go a long way toward returning the unit to respectability.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Some of these teams are really talent-starved. That makes it much tougher to project picks because they need so many different things. Given that the top QBs are gone, as well as the two best CBs, this board mostly lines up with one big need: WR. To me, there’s a clear best wideout in this class, and I’ve had my eye on him since back in week 1. He reminds me a bit of Mike Evans: a big WR that runs good routes, has great hands at the point of attack, and possesses more speed than you think. We’re looking at a true #1 receiver, and with the cost of WR contracts lately, those players are being selected high.
7. New York Jets – OT Will Campbell, LSU
There’s a lot we don’t know right now about the Jets. Will Aaron Rodgers or Davante Adams be back? How will the new regime build their team? Most of the top remaining prospects are defensive linemen, which is the one spot where this team is stacked. I’d watch this pick as a trade spot if the board breaks this way, but since they have to stay and pick in this mock, let’s beef up the other trench. Tyron Smith may leave or retire, and New York’s revamped line didn’t pan out last year. Some question whether Campbell has the arms to play tackle or if he’ll have to move to guard. I have no such questions at this time.
8. Carolina Panthers – EDGE James Pearce Jr, Tennessee
Last year, Carolina peppered the offense with their draft. That paid some dividends late in the season, but now it’s the defense that needs work. I had to choose whether to replace LB Frankie Luvu or OLB Brian Burns, who left last season via trade and free agency, respectively. In the top 10, off-ball LBs aren’t as likely to go, so I went the edge rusher route. Pearce is not yet a great run defender, and some of his moves are unrefined. However, he is as talented as anyone, with a prototypical 6’5″ frame. His 17.5 sacks over the past two years really tell the tale; if he can do that in SEC play, the NFC South should be wary.
9. New Orleans Saints – DT Mason Graham, Michigan
Seemingly never willing to commit to a rebuild, New Orleans wants a player who can help right now. They also need some youth along their defensive line, so the best overall DT prospect fits them perfectly. This might just be the safest player in the class, but he’s also a good one. Some are questioning Graham’s height (6’3″) and arm length, but that hasn’t seemed to have stopped him. He is an excellent run defender and pocket pusher, even against double teams. The Saints don’t have a whole lot of punch from the interior, but Graham takes care of that. Despite facing stiff competition, he has stood out over the past 3 seasons.
10. Chicago Bears – OT/G Kelvin Banks Jr, Texas
Edge rusher is a definite possibility here, but it might be malpractice for the Bears not to upgrade Caleb Williams’ protection as he enters his second season. Scouts are divided on whether Banks should be a tackle or a guard, but he’d probably be incredibly helpful for Chicago at either spot. Georgia gave Banks trouble, but he was otherwise exceptional in college. I think he’ll have instant success at the next level because his technique is so refined. He already looks like a professional blindside protector. Power rushes can sometimes overcome Banks, but that can be fixed once he hits an NFL weight room.
11. San Francisco 49ers – RT/G Armand Membou, Missouri
Maybe San Francisco will finally grab an upgrade for RT Colton McKivitz like I keep imploring them to do. Not a left tackle prospect, Membou had a really good career on the right side for the Tigers. With San Francisco looking to get back to title contention as soon as next season, an experienced prospect like this is just what the doctor ordered. While many draftniks are projecting him Memmbou to move to guard, I think he’s athletic enough to stick on the outside. His rising stock suggests that others have come to the same conclusion, as he might not go this high as a pure guard prospect.
12. Dallas Cowboys – RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Of all the picks in this mock, Jeanty to the Cowboys makes the most sense. This is a team that drafted Ezekiel Elliott at #4 overall back in 2016, and RB is a big hole. Dallas might not feel as pressured to address it with Rico Dowdle emerging a bit at the end of the season. However, Jerry Jones loves himself a star, and the Heisman runner-up fits the bill. A powerful runner with excellent contact balance and breakaway speed, Jeanty is the full package. Making Dallas’ offense two-dimensional again is a high priority, and there’s arguably no more impactful player in this class. If Jeanty isn’t a Cowboy, that means another team took him first.
13. Miami Dolphins – G Tyler Booker, Alabama
Losing Robert Hunt last year in free agency hurt quite a bit more than Miami probably expected. QB Tua Tagovailoa is always at risk of an injury, and the run game struggled last year after excelling in 2023. That makes an interior lineman the most needed position for this roster. At 6’5″, 352 lbs, Booker is a mammoth of a lineman who blocks extremely well in the run game. Simply put, defenders cannot get past him. Don’t sleep on his pass-blocking chops though. Though Booker isn’t particularly quick, larger interior linemen won’t overpower him. That enables him to stand his ground and create a really nice pocket for his QB.
14. Indianapolis Colts – TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
I’ve been trying to find a place to put Warren, as he’s the clear-cut best TE in the class and belongs in the top 15. This was my first real opportunity, and I think he’d make a lot of sense for the Colts. QB Anthony Richardson is set for a make-or-break year, and it’s incumbent upon Indianapolis to surround him with the best weapons possible so that they can properly evaluate him. You could argue that aside from Tetairoa McMillan and MAYBE Travis Hunter, there’s no better weapon available no matter your pick. Warren is that much of a threat. To top it off, he also blocks well! This is a very complete player who teams will regret passing on.
15. Atlanta Falcons – DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
I never get the Falcons’ pick right, but at least they aren’t picking 8th this year. I feel like I’ve asked them to grab an edge rusher or at least SOME defensive player for years now. They keep ignoring me, but they can’t possibly be happy with their sack production. Let’s give them one from their home state. Williams has pro-level strength (as many Bulldogs do) along with quickness to bend around the edge. If he had a more developed set of pass rushing moves, he’d go even higher. As it stands, a defensive coach like Raheem Morris can shape him into a real weapon. A little patience could lead to a massive payoff.
16. Arizona Cardinals – LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
Last year’s first-round pick, DL Darius Robinson, barely saw the field last year due to injury, but even with him back, the Cardinals need much more front seven talent. Thus, we come to another Bulldog. The biggest knock on Walker is what to do with him. He’s a jack-of-all-trades who has been used as an off-ball LB, as a coverage piece, and (especially) as an edge rusher. That last bit pushes him up the board ahead of more typical LBs. Walker is an excellent athlete, but he comes with only one year of starting experience. His instincts need time to develop, but he’d hit the ground running faster if he starts as a designated rusher.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – S Malaki Starks, Georgia
What happens with WR Tee Higgins in free agency could determine this pick. If he leaves, the Bengals might want a pass catcher. As of now though, only defensive additions are acceptable. That unit was horrible, particularly in the secondary. I don’t love the value at CB here, but all of the best safeties are available. Cincinnati has missed Jessie Bates since they foolishly let him walk. Starks is a similarly instinctive player with elite intangibles. If he played another position, he’d be unavailable at pick 17. Safeties aren’t valued enough though, so the Bengals would end up with a steal if this came to pass.
18. Seattle Seahawks – DE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Another team with severe offensive line deficiencies, Seattle has to shore up the interior to keep both Geno Smith and the running backs upright. I just don’t think they can justify using the 18th pick on any of the available options. Their other major need is at edge rusher, and that’s more feasible. However, the next-best rusher is anyone’s guess. I’ll take a swing at Scourton for right now. His 280 lb size makes his get-off a little slow, but he has ample power. I expect his playing weight to be a little lower, and that would make him faster off the edge. This type of high-upside player is exactly what the Seahawks like.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Losing Chris Godwin in free agency might convince the Bucs to go WR here. While he remains with the team, LB is the bigger need. An off-ball linebacker who also offers some pop as a rusher, Campbell can play alongside or in place of veteran Lavonte David. I worry a little about him in coverage; while his athleticism is plenty good for the job, his instincts are much better when he’s close to the line of scrimmage. Tampa needs him in the off-ball role though, so they’d probably overlook that deficiency. Campbell is good at everything else, enough so that he is the pick here despite his undervalued position.
20. Denver Broncos – WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Some sort of weapon for Bo Nix should be in the card here, as Courtland Sutton is the only real receiving threat on the roster. I think pairing the big-bodied Sutton with the smooth route runner that is Egbuka would work out well. Often overshadowed by freshman phenom, Jeremiah Smith, Egbuka is a first-round receiving prospect in his own right. You’re projecting a little bit with this pick, as Egbuka never had the chance to be “the guy” due to the other elite receivers he played with. I think he’s about as good as Chris Olave was coming out, which is a high-end #2 or low-end #1 receiver. That’s worth plenty nowadays.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
Speaking of teams in need of weapons, Pittsburgh has only the mercurial George Pickens at WR. For a while, Burden was vying to be the #1 receiver in this class, but I think his smaller stature (he’s 5’11”) makes more sense in the back half of the first round. Those size limitations could force Burden into the slot, but as we’ve seen countless times, slot receivers are excellent safety valves for QBs. If you get the ball in Burden’s hands, good things will happen. He’s a menace after the catch, using both speed and agility to pile up yards. For a team like Pittsburgh that lacks offensive consistency, a reliable outlet is a great match.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
While the run on receivers could certainly continue here given the Chargers’ needs, any pass catcher would do. With that in mind, reuniting coach Jim Harbaugh with one of his Wolverines is a no-brainer. LA at least has Ladd McConkey at WR. The TE cupboard is bare. At just 20 years old, Loveland is a prospect with plenty of room to grow. I mean that literally, as he could stand to bulk up at the next level. Even now though, he’s a great athlete in the receiving game. Harbaugh would know better than anyone how to develop Loveland, so I can’t picture a better player-team fit than the one we have here.
23. Green Bay Packers – CB Shavon Revel Jr, East Carolina
Whether or not Jaire Alexander and/or Eric Stokes return, the Packers need a CB upgrade. Those two simply aren’t reliable enough. As it happens, Revel is coming off an ACL tear of his own, but the upside is immense here. Revel didn’t have an extensive injury history before, and if he hadn’t gotten hurt, he might’ve been a top-10 selection and the first cornerback picked. His size and speed are exactly what teams look for, and his ball production had been trending up before his injury. Being able to pass medical evaluations at the Scouting Combine will be crucial for his stock. A clean bill of health would keep him in round 1.
24. Minnesota Vikings – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Minnesota has a pretty complete roster, but one place they could use more talent is at the DT position. Some evaluators believe that Grant has more upside than Mason Graham, his Michigan teammate. In particular, he’s the superior run defender, which matches what the Vikings are looking for. Grant is going to test really well at the Combine, as his burst is evident on film. Teams that are looking for an interior pass rusher will likely go with a different option, but he’s not bad in that department. His strength just lies in his…well…strength. Being an immovable object in the center of the line of scrimmage is valuable too!
25. Houston Texans – OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
If Houston doesn’t protect CJ Stroud better next year, I think the fanbase might revolt. So would I obviously, and for good reason. The offensive line was the primary culprit in Houston’s divisional round exist, as well as most of the other games they lost in 2024. Simmons has the highest potential of any remaining tackle prospect…but also the most risk. He underwent season-ending knee surgery in October and had been a middling player prior to 2024. This season though, he looked excellent in a limited sample size. The measurables all work in his favor, so I think he’ll reach the first round with a good medical report.
26. Los Angeles Rams – CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
With all of the offensive line injuries the Rams suffered last year, I can see them going in that direction with this pick. However, the secondary is the clear weak link of the team, and that’s especially true at CB. A hip injury cost Morrison a little more than half of the 2024 season. Assuming he’s healthy, he’ll have a chance to dispel his biggest concern: speed. While he runs fine in the short-to-intermediate range, questions remain about whether he can run down the field with speedsters. Morrison is really good otherwise, and teams love big physical corners. How high he goes will depend on his testing results.
27. Baltimore Ravens – EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
Should LT Ronnie Stanley leave in free agency, I’ll switch this pick to a tackle without hesitation in my next mock. I imagine the Ravens will make a strong push to re-sign him though, so let’s look elsewhere for now. Despite spending fairly high picks at the position, Baltimore is not great at rushing the passer. This is a swing for the fences. Green cannot defend the run with his thin frame, but nobody had more than his 17 sacks last year. He also dominated in practice at the Senior Bowl, putting clown suits on different tackles. I love this fit because the Ravens are already #1 against the run, so they can insert a player like Green.
28. Detroit Lions – DL Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg, and the entire Lions pass rush left with him. That can’t happen again. Stewart is not a guy who tends to put up enormous sack numbers, but he is very powerful. That tends to create opportunities for other players, and because of his size, he plays the run really well. Run defense was an issue for Detroit against Washington in their playoff loss, so Stewart helps them on multiple fronts. His play style reminds me of Darius Robinson, who went 27th overall last year. Stewart isn’t injured though, so he can contribute much earlier than Robinson, who barely played in 2024.
29. Washington Commanders – CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
For a team that made the conference championship game, Washington has a bunch of needs. They could use a WR2, multiple edge rushers, a couple of cornerbacks, and an offensive lineman. The best player on the board at one of those positions is Barron. He has been climbing draft boards over the past few months, likely due to his strong performance in the Longhorns’ CFP games. I saw very sticky coverage out of him, along with the athletic ability to hang with different types of receivers. His 5 INTs and PBUs in 2024 really stand out, as does his tackling. As more people see him, his stock could rise further.
30. Buffalo Bills – SS Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
I can envision Buffalo targeting a player at any level of their defense, which got exposed a bit in the team’s loss to Kansas City. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde weren’t adequately replaced last year, so we’ll take care of that now. Nobody else is specifying Emmanwori as a “strong” safety, but with 88 tackles and a 6’3″, 227-lb frame, he’s built almost like a linebacker. And yet, he picked off 4 passes and returned two for TDs in 2024, so he’s obviously very athletic. I anticipate Emmanwori being one of the most debated prospects over the next few months. Teams need to decide where to play him before they can grade him.
31. Philadelphia Eagles – DE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
As with last year’s Mock Draft 1.0, this order is strictly based on the team records of our Super Bowl participants, not who I expect to win the game. GM Howie Roseman is honestly likely to take a DT despite having the most loaded group of players at that position in the league. I am going to apply a little wishful thinking and see if we can replace Brandon Graham, the longtime edge rusher who may retire. It would be just like the Eagles to have a polished player fall into their laps. Tuimoloau really raised his stock in the CFP. His get-off impressed me, and it will really balance out his moves; he already has a good power rush.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Josh Conerly Jr, Oregon
The Chiefs eschewed taking a first-round tackle last year, and look what happened. Poor G Joe Thuney has been manning the blindside for the past several games. Maybe KC thinks that Kingsley Suamataia, last year’s second-round selection, will developed. There’s also the matter of G Trey Smith, who is likely to leave in free agency. I think the Chiefs are best off going with a pro-ready option given their perennial status as Super Bowl contenders. Conerly is an athletic player with true LT potential. Adding him feels a little bit unfair, but that’s the pattern that led to this juggernaut of a team in the first place.