Mock Draft
3/14/25
15 min read
NFL Mock Draft 2025: Latest Predictions After Early Free Agency Action
The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. With quarterback drama at the top, a handful of defensive game-changers, and a few teams poised to shake things up, this first-round mock explores how things could unfold. Every selection factors in team needs, roster moves, and prospect evaluations—not just the consensus, but what makes the most sense based on scheme fits and front office tendencies. Buckle up, because this class is loaded with talent, and the surprises are just getting started.
1. TENNESSEE TITANS
Selection: QB Cam Ward, Miami
By investing in the offensive line and sitting out of the quarterback market, the Titans have made their intentions fairly clear and it’s starting to look like the draft starts at pick two. Cam Ward is an electric playmaker with an exciting blend of arm talent and creativity out of structure. He has the drive velocity and flexible release to attack any area of the field from any platform and is an underrated anticipatory thrower from the pocket.
2. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Selection: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
Cleveland’s receiver room is thin and Martin Emerson is coming off the worst season of his career. The Browns fortify both positions with Travis Hunter, the most versatile NFL draft prospect of all time.
3. NEW YORK GIANTS
Selection: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
If the Giants didn’t have such a desperate need at quarterback, I could envision Sanders falling. But Joe Schoen needs to save his job and won’t make it to the next offseason if he doesn’t find an answer at the most important position. Sanders is a surgical pocket passer with pinpoint accuracy, but his poor pocket presence and middling physical traits could limit his upside.
4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Selection: OT Armand Membou, Missouri
Speaking of desperate, New England has a dire tackle situation that they must address. Membou looks like a guard, but checks every non-aesthetic box to play tackle in the NFL. His tape in 2024 was very clean and improved from good to great over the second half of the season.
5. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Selection: DL Mason Graham, Michigan
With Trent Baalke out, it’s now safe to mock good players with short arms to the Jaguars. Graham is a pro-ready 3-technique with a well rounded skillset and rare technical prowess for a player of his age.
6. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Selection: HB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Raiders secured their quarterback of the near future, trading a third round pick for Geno Smith, and they add more offensive firepower with Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty is a complete three-down back who’s a chore to bring down.
7. NEW YORK JETS
Selection: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
New York’s defensive front was a major disappointment last season, but they revitalize that unit with the best player in the class. Abdul Carter is an explosive and bendy speed rusher with surprising technical polish after just one season playing full-time on the edge.
8. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Selection: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Aside from a few pieces, the Panthers are essentially rebuilding their defense from scratch. They take Stewart, a historically athletic edge defender who will need time to develop his pass rushing technique.
9. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Selection: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
New Orleans’ roster is bereft of young building blocks, having struck out on many of their recent draft picks. Taking Tyler Warren, one of the safest players in the class, is a great way to end their cold streak. Warren is a do-it-all Y tight end who bullies defenders at the catch point and in the run game.
10. CHICAGO BEARS
Selection: EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia
Chicago has upgraded all three positions on their interior offense line over the last couple weeks, which gives them the flexibility to invest in the other side of the line of scrimmage. Jalon Walker is a hybrid defender who plays mostly off-ball linebacker for Georgia’s defense, but projects as a stand-up edge rusher in the NFL. He wins with speed, power, & inside counters, but is still learning to sequence moves strategically into a coordinated pass rushing plan.
11. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Selection: OL Will Campbell, LSU
Dominick Puni was a great find in the third round last year, but the 49ers need to throw resources at this position. Will Campbell is a powerful offensive lineman, who plays with an edge and has the strike power to end reps immediately on first contact. It’s unlikely that he plays tackle in the NFL, however, and that’s not just because his arms are short. His 32 5/8-inch arms will make him a guard on most boards, but teams with less stringent cutoffs will still be concerned with his foot speed.
12. DALLAS COWBOYS
Selection: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
The Cowboys add some serious juice to their front seven with Jihaad Campbell. Campbell is a prototypical three-down linebacker with unreal athletic upside and pass rushing versatility.
13. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Selection: SAF Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
After losing Jevon Holland in free agency, the Dolphins take Nick Emmanwori, who lit up the combine. Emmanwori is a unicorn and one of the best athletes in this class, regardless of position. He plays safety, but is built like a linebacker and looks like a cornerback in man coverage.
14. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Selection: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Indianapolis takes Colston Loveland, giving Anthony Richardson an intermediate weapon who can add some stability to their passing game. Loveland is the best route-running tight end I’ve evaluated out of college. He can stretch the seam move the chains consistently on third down.
15. ATLANTA FALCONS
Selection: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
The Falcons take an edge rusher in the first round for the first time since 2015, selecting Donovan Ezeiruaku, who led the Power-Four with 16.5 sacks. Ezeiruaku is a technician and has the best bend of any edge defender in this class.
16. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Selection: DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Arizona signed Josh Sweat and retained Baron Browning, so they beef up the interior of their defensive front with Kenneth Grant. Grant is a nose tackle, but he moves like a gap-shooting three-technique and has an unreal pursuit range.
17. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Selection: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
With Trey Hendrickson’s future up in the air, Cincinnati adds a dynamic pass rusher in Mike Green. Green is a ball of lightning with a dangerous blend of technique and raw explosiveness. He dominated C-USA competition & led the FBS with 17 sacks in 2024.
18. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Selection: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
The Seahawks waste no time replacing DK Metcalf and select Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan is a skyscraper with elite ball skills, but in 2024 he emerged as more than just a jump-ball winner. He refined his route running technique & was much more productive after the catch.
19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Selection: CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State
In this scenario Tampa Bay moves on from Jamel Dean and takes Azareye’h Thomas, the lone bright spot on Florida State’s 2024 roster. Thomas is a prototypical boundary corner for a press-man or cover-three system and has a rare blend of size and fluidity.
20. DENVER BRONCOS
Selection: HB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Denver selects Omarion Hampton, breathing life into their stagnant running game. Hampton is a powerful runner with exceptional contact balance and reliable hands out of the backfield.
21. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Selection: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
The Steelers signed Darius Slay and Brandin Echols, but Slay is a short-term solution and Echols is more of a flyer, so they’d still benefit from adding a corner in the draft. Johnson will likely play outside in the NFL, but he could start out at nickel while Slay is still on the roster.
22. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Selection: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
The Chargers’ lack of talent at receiver, aside from Ladd McConkey, puts a hard cap on their offensive potential, so they take Matthew Golden. Golden broke out over the second half of the 2024 season after taking over as the primary target in Texas’ passing game. He’s an efficient route runner with excellent fluidity and quickness to separate from man coverage. His speed seemed average on tape, but he ran a 4.29 at the combine.
23. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Selection: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
Rashan Gary’s regression and Lukas Van Ness’ lack of development has left Green Bay with a significant need at edge. Mykel Williams has a prototypical build for a defensive end with absurd arm length, but can explode off the ball and make sudden lateral cuts to shoot gaps. His hand usage and sturdy anchor give him a decent floor to contribute on early downs while he develops his pass rush skillset.
24. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Selection: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Brian Flores wants to play more man coverage, but he hasn’t had the necessary personnel in recent years, so the Vikings give him a talented boundary CB in Maxwell Hairston. Hairston is instinctive in off coverage and has elite recovery speed, which he verified at the combine.
25. HOUSTON TEXANS
Selection: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
After trading Laremy Tunsil to Washington, the Texans need a new franchise left tackle. Josh Simmons was playing like the best offensive lineman in this class before he tore his patellar tendon in Week 7. He has prototypical measurables and athletic traits for an NFL tackle. He’s a smooth mover with the range to mirror pass rushers on an island and his anchor significantly improved from last season.
26. LOS ANGELES RAMS
Selection: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
The Rams take Jahdae Barron, adding a versatile chess piece to their defensive backfield. In his five years at Texas, Barron recorded over 500 snaps at safety, slot, and outside cornerback.
27. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Selection: G Tyler Booker, Alabama
Having re-signed Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens have two offensive line positions up for grabs and they select Tyler Booker. Booker is the most physically dominant offensive lineman in this class and Alabama players call him the Will Anderson of offense. At 348-pounds, he has a dominant anchor and is completely unfazed by power rushers.
28. DETROIT LIONS
Selection: EDGE Bradyn Swinson, LSU
Detroit needs a capable edge rusher to play opposite of Aidan Hutchinson and Bradyn Swinson is the best one available. Swinson is a multi-dimensional pass rusher with a potent combination of burst, power, and lateral quickness.
29. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Selection: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
The NFL seems to have serious concerns about James Pearce Jr.’s character, but Washington gambles on his talent. Pearce Jr. is an elite linear athlete with rare first-step explosiveness. He has two years of high-level production in the SEC and incredible upside as a designated pass rusher.
30. BUFFALO BILLS
Selection: SAF Malaki Starks, Georgia
Darrick Forrest was an underrated signing and Cole Bishop has potential, but Buffalo takes another swing at safety with Malaki Starks. Starks is a versatile safety with the ideal combination of size and athleticism to play in the box, slot, or deep middle. After two highly productive seasons, Georgia played him out of position in 2024 and he lined up at nickel on the majority of passing downs. This resulted in fewer opportunities to read the QB and he set career lows in interceptions and pass breakups.
31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Selection: Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Kansas City selects Josh Conerly Jr., which has become the “Free Space” of NFL mock drafts. Conerly Jr. is a left tackle with light feet to take mirror pass rushers on an island. While he was undersized early in his career, he bulked up to 313-pounds in 2024 and meets every threshold in terms of size, length, and athleticism.
32. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Selection: DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
The Eagles take Walter Nolen to replace Milton Williams, who signed a massive deal with New England. Nolen is an athletic and disruptive wrecking ball on the interior who lives in the backfield. The #2 recruit in the 2022 class, Nolen showed substantial growth as a pass rusher this year.
