Mock Draft
4/10/25
17 min read
2025 NFL Mock Draft: One Massive Trade That Shakes Up Round 1
We are officially two weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and the anticipation for Thursday night couldn’t be any greater. We think we know what will happen with the first two selections, but everything is up in the air after that. Could we see a big-time trade inside the top three that would shake up the entire draft?
Let’s dive into a mock with a trade that no one will see coming and the impacts it might have through the rest of the round:
2025 NFL Mock Draft With Trades
1. Tennessee Titans
Selection: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
There was some buzz back at the Senior Bowl that the Titans could select Abdul Carter at No. 1, but they have since fallen in love with Cam Ward, and it’s not hard to see why.
Ward was a winner at every program he played at, and he’s got the natural talent to be a star in the NFL. With the success of Jayden Daniels in 2024, the Titans are hoping Ward can have a similar impact on the franchise right away.
2. Cleveland Browns
Selection: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The draft starts at No. 2, and it appears that Hunter is now the favorite to be that pick. It makes complete sense, as he was clearly the best player in college football last season, and he is a generational talent. We may never see another player like him again.
The Browns are one of the few teams who might be open to using him on both sides of the ball, especially with their offense needing more dynamic playmakers. Cleveland should take Hunter and worry about the quarterback position later in the draft because he is too good to pass up.
Trade: 49ers send picks No. 11, No. 100, and 2026 first-round pick for No. 3.
3. San Francisco 49ers via (Giants)
Selection: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Giants would love to see Travis Hunter fall them at No. 3, but that doesn’t happen. And with Brian Burns, Kavon Thibodeaux, and Chauncey Golston already under contract, the Giants cash in this pick and add an additional first-round pick to restart the rebuild.
The 49ers desperately need pass-rush help opposite Nick Bosa, and they clearly believe they can be a Super Bowl contender right now. They push their chips to the middle of the table to add an impact pass rusher who can make a big impact from Day 1.
Giving up a 2026 first-rounder stings, but John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have always been aggressive, and adding arguably the best player in the class could help them get back to contending for NFC Championships.
4. New England Patriots
Selection: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
For a moment, it sure seemed like the Patriots would have a chance to select Hunter or Carter at No. 4. But with only one quarterback coming off the board, they will have to go elsewhere.
Campbell doesn’t have elite length, but he is the type of leader and player who Mike Vrabel will love to add to his locker room. New England needs more talent on its offensive line, and Campbell will eventually find a home where he can be a dominant player.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Selection: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Jaguars are in a tough spot at No. 5 with the elite players off the board. Jalon Walker and Armand Membou could be in consideration, but Graham makes the most sense with their current defensive personnel.
He’s got his weaknesses, but Graham would add another big body to their defensive line.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Selection: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Ashton Jeanty has been a common selection to the Raiders at No. 6, but John Spytek loves drafting offensive linemen. The Raiders have a massive hole at right tackle, but Membou is the best right tackle in the class and would give them even more power and athleticism on the offensive line.
Las Vegas wants to get bigger and stronger up front, and Membou will help it do that.
7. New York Jets
Selection: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Will Campbell and Armand Membou would be easy selections at No. 7 for the Jets, but both are off the board here. The Jets take Warren, who would pair nicely with Garrett Wilson and would give Justin Fields a big target in the passing game.
Warren is an all-around playmaker and should easily be a top-10 tight end by as soon as 2026.
8. Carolina Panthers
Selection: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
You can make a strong case that Jalon Walker is the third or fourth-best player in this class, and his floor is No. 8. The Panthers need pass help, and Walker can play multiple positions, including on the edge.
Walker is undersized, but he has fantastic power and athleticism, which makes him a unique prospect.
9. New Orleans Saints
Selection: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Saints traded away Marshon Lattimore at the deadline last year and lost Paulson Adebo in free agency. Outside cornerback is a major weakness, and Will Johnson is the top cornerback in this class (not counting Travis Hunter).
It’s been a rough pre-draft process for Johnson, but he still winds up as a top-10 pick in this mock.
10. Chicago Bears
Selection: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
There is a good chance that Jeanty doesn’t even make it to this spot, as he is clearly one of the top five players in the class. However, he falls a bit due to positional value, and it’s the Bears who scoop him up.
Chicago doesn’t have very many needs on offense after addressing its offensive line this offseason. Jeanty would give Ben Johnson his feature back, and this would be among the most talented offenses in the NFL.
11. New York Giants (via 49ers)
Selection: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Picking Sanders at No. 3 feels like a bit of a reach, but adding him at No. 11 while picking up a 2026 first-round pick would be a good way to energize the fanbase.
Sanders is a good quarterback prospect, and this is the range where he should be drafted. Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix were picked near this spot last year, and that makes sense for Sanders.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Selection: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The first receiver comes off the board at No. 12, and it’s McMillan. The Cowboys want to get faster on offense, and McMillan doesn’t really help them there, but he is the most well-rounded receiver in the class and would give them another big option to pair with CeeDee Lamb.
However, don’t be surprised if Matthew Golden is the pick instead if the Cowboys opt for fit and speed vs. the best player available.
13. Miami Dolphins
Selection: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Kenneth Grant could certainly be an option here, as the Dolphins desperately need defensive tackle help. However, Mykel Williams is another strong option. He can play multiple spots on the defensive line and is an A+ run defender.
The Dolphins need longer, stronger defensive linemen, and Williams would pair well with Jaelen Phillips and Chop Robinson.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Selection: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Chris Ballard only drafts elite athletes, and Shemar Stewart feels like the perfect pick for the Colts. His production leaves a lot to be desired, but he is an all-time great athlete at defensive end and would pair well with Laiatu Latu.
Stewart is one of the biggest wild cards in the draft, but expect him to be a top-20 pick when it’s all said and done.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Selection: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
There is no secret to what the Falcons are going to do at No. 15. They have to find pass-rush help, and Mike Green seems like the perfect fit.
He’s one of the best pure pass-rushers in the class and should easily be a top-20 pick by late April.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Selection: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Cardinals would love to add offensive line help, but there isn’t an option available that makes sense at this pick. Instead, they grab Barron, who can be their Day 1 slot cornerback.
Barron can also play some safety, which makes him a valuable piece to any defense.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Selection: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Derrick Harmon has solidified himself as a top-25 pick in this year’s draft, as he is one of the cleanest prospects at defensive tackle.
The Bengals need more help inside, and Harmon can play either defensive tackle spot, and his motor never stops. He’s the type of player their defense has been missing for the past several seasons.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Selection: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Seahawks have the slowest wide receiver room in the NFL and desperately need to add another playmaker to their passing game.
Matthew Golden doesn’t always play up to his 4.29 speed, but he could be a dynamic weapon who could play outside in Klint Kubiak’s offense.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Selection: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The worst-kept secret in NFL circles is that the Buccaneers love Jihaad Campbell, and he would be the perfect linebacker to pair with Lavonte David at this stage of his career.
Campbell is a do-it-all linebacker whose best football is still ahead of him.
20. Denver Broncos
Selection: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Omarion Hampton, Luther Burden III, and Emeka Egbuka could all be options for the Broncos at No. 20. But Sean Payton loves to invest in the trenches, and Kenneth Grant is too good of a player to pass up.
Denver had one of the league’s best defenses last season, and adding a dynamic nose tackle would make that unit even better.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Selection: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Could the Steelers be one of the teams who take a quarterback at No. 21? It’s possible, but they opt for Hampton here, who would be a strong fit in Arthur Smith’s offense.
Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell are the top two backs on the roster, and the Steelers need to add a physical presence to their run game, and Hampton can help do that.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Selection: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
This feels like one of the most obvious fits in the entire draft, but expect it to happen. Loveland is a dynamic receiving weapon who just so happened to play under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.
He would be a perfect fit with Justin Herbert and would finally give the Chargers a big-time target at tight end for the first time since Antonio Gates retired.
23. Green Bay Packers
Selection: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Packers have done a lot of work on this wide receiver class, including Emeka Egbuka. He’s primarily been a slot receiver at Ohio State, which makes this fit even more interesting.
But Egbuka is an NFL-ready receiver who is the all-time leading pass catcher in Buckeye history. The Packers don’t take Round 1 wide receivers, but they make an exception here.
24. Minnesota Vikings
Selection: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Vikings could go in a number of directions, but Malaki Starks is just one of the cleanest prospects in the class. He can play both safety spots and come down and play in the slot if needed.
Brian Flores likes smart defensive backs, but Starks couldn’t be a better fit. Flores would have so much fun deploying him all over the field, and if he makes it this far, expect him to be the pick.
25. Houston Texans
Selection: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
The Texans are rebuilding their offensive line, and Banks seems like a perfect fit. Could he be their starting left tackle? It’s possible, but he also has the athleticism to kick inside to guard if needed.
Banks is a pretty clean prospect and would be a great value selection here at No. 25.
26. Los Angeles Rams
Selection: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Revel would have been a top-20 selection if it weren’t for an early-season knee injury, but he doesn’t fall too far in this mock draft.
Revel is a dynamic playmaker at cornerback who is similar to Antonio Cromartie. The Rams need a true No. 1 cornerback, and Revel could certainly do that in due time.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Selection: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
The Ravens love to draft big-school players, and Alabama is one of their favorite places to find players.
Booker is a mammoth guard with overwhelming power and length. He could start at either guard spot and would give Baltimore one of the biggest offensive lines in the NFL.
28. Detroit Lions
Selection: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
James Pearce is a better pure rusher than Donovan Ezeiruaku, but the Lions value character, and his is top-notch.
Ezeiruaku is an undersized rusher who might need some time to learn how to stop the run, but he can get after the quarterback and would be a perfect fit opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
29. Washington Commanders
Selection: James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
Dan Quinn has had a lot of success with twitchy, undersized EDGE rushers, and Pearce certainly qualifies. He’s likely not an every-down player right away, as he needs to put on some weight.
Still, he can bend around the edge and create havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Pearce could fall further than this, but the Commanders are a good landing spot for him and his talent.
30. Buffalo Bills
Selection: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
The expectation is that the Bills will add more defensive talent with this pick, and Amos could be an under-the-radar option. He’s a long, athletic cornerback who does a fantastic job of playing the ball in the air.
While his long speed is only average, he projects as an outside cornerback who can use his physicality to match up with high-end receivers at the next level.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Selection: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
This mock couldn’t have fallen better for the Chiefs, who desperately need offensive tackle help. Simmons isn’t the cleanest prospect by any means, but the Chiefs have never shied away from risky players.
Simmons could be a Day 1 starter at left tackle as he has the athleticism and movement skills to be an elite pass blocker right away.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Selection: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Nolen is one of the real wild cards of this draft. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he were a top-15 selection because he certainly has the talent to be a difference-maker. But he could fall for a variety of reasons, including having played at several different schools since high school.
However, the Eagles stop his slide and add him to their already deep pass-rush unit. He wouldn't need to be a starter right away, but he would fill the Milton Williams void and could do that with ease.
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