Mock Draft
3/20/25
18 min read
NFL Mock Draft 2025: Latest Predictions After Second Wave of Free Agency
We are exactly five weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and rumors and rumblings are getting louder each day. There is also more nonsense than ever, which makes it incredibly hard to figure out where a player may land.
However, now that the first few waves of free agency have come and gone, what will the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft look like? Here is our latest mock to reflect all of the big moves coming out of free agency:
Latest Mock Draft After Second Wave of Free Agency
1. Tennessee Titans
Selection: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
It certainly didn’t start out this way, but it sure seems like Cam Ward to the Titans at No. 1 is now the consensus.
And that makes sense, considering the Titans have a huge quarterback need, and Ward is clearly the top passer in this draft. He is far from a perfect prospect, but he is worthy of this spot due to his athleticism and arm talent.
2. Cleveland Browns
Selection: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
There have been some rumblings that the Browns could take Shedeur Sanders at this spot, but they just take the best overall player in the draft at No. 2.
The expectation would be that Travis Hunter would play offense in Cleveland, but it sure sounds like he is willing to do both. Hunter would give the Browns another superstar to build around, especially after extending Myles Garrett for the foreseeable future.
3. New York Giants
Selection: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
If the Giants don’t land Aaron Rodgers in free agency, this becomes an interesting spot for them. The Giants need a quarterback, and I’m not sure Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll can afford to finish last in the NFC East again with no answer at the position.
Shedeur Sanders isn’t the cleanest prospect, but he is worthy of a top-15 selection, and the positional value makes this a reasonable pick.
4. New England Patriots
Selection: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Patriots really need a No. 1 receiver and a starting left tackle to protect Drake Maye, but Abdul Carter is too good of a prospect to pass up. Carter could easily go at No. 2, but the falls to pick No. 4 in this mock, and the Patriots have to be thrilled.
They need a superstar pass rusher and haven’t had one since the prime of Chandler Jones. Carter has a chance to be a double-digit sack player as a rookie and would thrive in Mike Vrabel’s defense.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Selection: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Jaguars are in a tough spot at No. 5 because it’s unlikely that Hunter or Carter will fall to them, and they aren’t interested in the quarterbacks for obvious reasons.
There is a clear tier gap here, but Mason Graham makes the most sense as Jacksonville continues to invest in its defensive line. Graham doesn’t have ideal length, but he is a productive pass rusher who fits well between Josh Allen-Hines and Travon Walker.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Selection: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Tetairoa McMillan ran around a 4.55 40-yard dash at a private workout on Monday, which matches what you see on tape. He is a big, physical receiver who can create separation with his route running.
The Raiders need an X-receiver to pair with Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, and McMillan would be the perfect fit.
7. New York Jets
Selection: Armand Membou, RT, Missouri
Armand Membou put on a show at the NFL Combine and should now be viewed as the favorite to be the first offensive lineman drafted this year.
He would slide in at right tackle, giving the Jets bookend tackles with Olu Fashanu on the other side. Membou could be a dominant run blocker in the NFL, and given just how young he and Fashanu are, they would be excellent building blocks for the future.
8. Carolina Panthers
Selection: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Is Jalon Walker a tweener, or is he a versatile front-seven player who can be moved all around to create mismatches? That’s what teams will need to decide by April, but the Panthers make a ton of sense at No. 8 as they try to find more pass-rush help.
Walker is one of the youngest players in the draft and is widely considered one of the best leaders that the Georgia program has ever seen, so don’t be surprised if he finds himself inside the top 10.
9. New Orleans Saints
Selection: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Saints have plenty of needs on both sides of the ball, but the idea of pairing Ashton Jeanty with Alvin Kamara for a year would be too good to pass up.
It also doesn’t hurt that new head coach Kellen Moore is a Boise State alum. Moore is expected to design a balanced offense in New Orleans, and selecting Jeanty would be a good sign that he intends to run the ball early and often with the Saints.
10. Chicago Bears
Selection: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
This feels high for Kenneth Grant, but the board did not fall well here for the Bears. Tyler Warren was also considered, but Grant is the pick as the Bears try to rebuild their defensive line into a powerhouse.
Grant has unusual athleticism for a nose tackle and would give them another option to pair with Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter. With every team in the NFC North running the ball well, adding an athletic nose tackle to an already good defense doesn’t seem like the worst idea.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Selection: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Will Campbell’s arms didn’t hit the 33-inch threshold that many teams want in their offensive tackles, but this is too good of a value for the 49ers to pass up.
Campbell could start his career at guard and then eventually move back to left tackle once Trent Williams retires. Either way, Campbell makes a ton of sense in a zone-heavy scheme.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Selection: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Don’t rule out the possibility of the Cowboys taking an offensive weapon here, but they gamble on the upside with the selection of Shemar Stewart.
The college production is well below the threshold for a typical first-round pick, but we’ve never seen an athlete like this before at the defensive end position. Pairing him with Micah Parsons would give Dallas arguably the most athletic EDGE duo in league history.
13. Miami Dolphins
Selection: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson might fall even further than this after missing most of the 2024 season with an injury and suffering a hamstring strain during the pre-draft process.
However, the Dolphins need cornerback help, and Johnson is the best defensive back in the class. He’s a gambling cornerback who does his best work in off-coverage, but pairing with Jalen Ramsey for a year or two would be a sight to see.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Selection: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
This feels like one of the most obvious fits in the draft, provided Tyler Warren falls this far. The Colts have been searching for a player like this for seemingly a decade, and Warren is a perfect fit for Shane Steichen’s offense, regardless of who the quarterback is.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Selection: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Falcons need pass-rush help, but this feels a little earlier for Mike Green and James Pearce. Instead, they draft Jihaad Campbell, who is one of the top blitzers in this class.
Campbell is a do-it-all linebacker whose best football is ahead of him. And if the Falcons want to use him to help rush the passer, he can do that as well.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Selection: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
It’s tough to find a spot for Jahdae Barron in Round 1, but he is certainly worthy of a top-20 selection. He is a do-it-all defensive player who can help in the slot or at safety.
Those players tend to fall a bit in the draft (think Brian Branch), but Barron lands with the Cardinals at No. 16 as they continue to rebuild their secondary.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Selection: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Bengals could go in a number of directions here, but Derrick Harmon might be the safest pick. He performed well at the NFL Combine and has the size/movement skills to play all across the defensive line.
Harmon needs to do a better job of wrapping up and making tackles, but he has all the traits to be a Pro Bowl defensive tackle at the next level.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Selection: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Seattle has thrown a bunch of resources at their defensive line in the last two off-seasons, and it does it again with Mike Green.
While Green might not have elite size, he has incredible college production and the speed to be an impact pass rusher right away.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Selection: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Mykel Williams could easily make the top 12, as multiple teams are searching for a player with his size and length. However, average testing numbers at his pro day and lackluster college production caused him to fall to the Buccaneers at No. 19.
He needs a lot of development, but Todd Bowles should be able to turn him into a Pro Bowl player by the end of his rookie contract.
20. Denver Broncos
Selection: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
It seems like a foregone conclusion that the Broncos will take a wide receiver in Round 1, but who makes the most sense? Matthew Golden has the deep speed to scare defenses and was effective at creating separation on underneath routes.
He’s not overly dynamic after the catch, and his play strength is only average, but he makes a lot of sense when paired with Courtland Sutton in a Sean Payton offense.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Selection: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
We’ve seen Omarion Hampton rise in mock drafts during the last two months. At this point, it would be a shock to see him fall out of Round 1. But finding a landing spot can be difficult.
However, Pittsburgh makes sense as it needs a feature back after letting Najee Harris walk in free agency. Jaylen Warren only has one year left on his deal, and the Steelers need a better between-the-tackles runner. Hampton could be a workhorse back and thrive in Arthur Smith’s offense.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Selection: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
There might not be a better fit in the draft than Colston Loveland re-joining Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. The Chargers need a dynamic tight end, and Loveland is one of the best route-running tight ends we’ve seen enter the league some time.
He’s not a powerful blocker and will need to be hidden some there, but he would instantly be the second-most reliable target in the passing game and would prove to be a huge weapon for Justin Herbert.
23. Green Bay Packers
Selection: James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee
The Packers aren’t far away from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but they need to add some speed to their pass rush. James Pearce is a riskier prospect, considering his weight (245 pounds) and some whispers about off-field concerns.
Still, the Packers need to start taking some big swings if they want to surpass teams like the Lions and Vikings in their division. Pearce offers tremendous upside as a pass rusher and is worth the gamble here at No. 23.
24. Minnesota Vikings
Selection: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Just imagine what Brian Flores could do with a player like Nick Emmanwori on his defense. The South Carolina star posted a perfect 10.0 RAS, measuring in at 6-3, 220 pounds. But Emmanwori isn’t just a workout warrior. He’s got good tape and solid ball production.
He can play either safety spot, but his best work might come when he is in the box and being used as a blitzer. Flores could create an entire defense around his athleticism and size, which would be terrifying for opposing offensive coordinators.
25. Houston Texans
Selection: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
This mock draft couldn’t have fallen any better for the Texans. They get their left tackle of the future, and they don’t even need to move up to get him.
Josh Simmons has some injury concerns and isn’t the most polished player, but he’s got the talent to be a franchise left tackle in the right scheme.
26. Los Angeles Rams
Selection: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Rams need cornerback help, but this isn’t the best defensive back class in Round 1. However, Maxwell Hairston is worth a gamble at the end of the first round because of his size and athleticism.
He’s an older prospect, but the Rams have shown that clearly doesn’t matter much to them. Look for Hariston to find his way into the first round.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Selection: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
This feels like a perfect fit, as the Ravens could use more interior offensive line talent, and Tyler Booker is the best guard in the class.
He could fall a bit on draft day after a poor performance at the NFL Combine, but he is a Day 1 starter at left guard and would add even more power to Baltimore’s offensive line.
28. Detroit Lions
Selection: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka might be a little too similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown, but he is just a good football player who the Lions can’t afford to pass up.
He can play several different positions and blocks incredibly well, which Dan Campbell will surely love. If Egbuka falls this far, expect several teams from the top of Round 2 to consider moving up for him.
29. Washington Commanders
Selection: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
The Commanders don’t have a high-end EDGE rusher, and that is needed in Dan Quinn’s defense. Dante Fowler left to join the Cowboys in free agency, and they desperately need someone who can win off the edge.
Donovan Ezeiruaku is one of the most productive pass rushers in the class. Due to his bend and athleticism, he should be able to produce right away in the NFL.
30. Buffalo Bills
Selection: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Walter Nolen is one of the most talented players in the class, but off-field concerns and his smaller frame cause him to fall to the end of Round 1.
Buffalo has been trying to build up its defensive line during the last few years, and Nolen could give it another dominant interior rusher to pair with Ed Oliver.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Selection: Kelvin Banks Jr, OL, Texans
Kelvin Banks was the starting left tackle for the Texas Longhorns during the last three seasons, but some believe he projects as a guard in the NFL. That’s fine for the Chiefs as they search for more starting-caliber offensive linemen.
Banks could start as their left guard, replacing Joe Thuney, with the hope that he could eventually kick out to tackle. Banks is one of the top 25 players in this class and would be a good value for Kansas City at the end of Round 1.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Selection: Luther Burden III, Missouri
Luther Burden III could easily be the best receiver in this class, but some concerns about his route tree and NFL readiness cause him to fall in this mock.
However, he lands in the perfect situation as he would be the No. 3 receiver in Philadelphia. Burden can play on the outside, but he would primarily be a slot receiver early in his career, which would make Philadelphia’s offense even more dynamic.
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