March 26, 2025

2025 NFL Mock Draft - Edition 2

I've been wanting to write another mock on this blog for quite some time, and with only a month left until the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I feel like it's finally time. A lot has changed since my first mock (you can see that here), and boy was that mock... rough. Not only did I have Jalen Milroe as the #1 overall pick (my stance has entirely changed on him), I had Detroit and Houston playing in the Super Bowl. Not great. Now's a chance to rectify my mistakes and give you a (hopefully) more accurate projection of the first round of this year's NFL draft. I will also be writing a 3rd mock right before the draft with updated rumors, trades, etc, but that won't be till mid-late April.

I really enjoy the process of mock drafting, as it lets me come up with interesting player-to-team fits that I think would end up going well if they happened in real life. This mock will include some consensus picks, hot takes, and fun player-to-team fits that I think will make for an enjoyable read. Enough stalling here, let's get started.

2025 NFL Mock Draft - Edition 2

Round 1

#1. Tennessee Titans - Cameron Ward | QB | Miami (FL)

The Titans were the worst team in the NFL under first-year head coach Brian Callahan, who desperately needs to find a solution at the quarterback position in this draft. Currently, the team only has Will Levis and Brandon Allen on the roster, and neither of those guys are starter-level players. Drafting a high-upside guy like Cameron Ward could give the Titans the first taste of competency at the position since Ryan Tannehill's 2021 season. Ward has a good arm and decent mobility, but has inconsistent accuracy and plays with reckless abandon at points. He's not a perfect prospect by any means, but he's the best QB in the draft and has the potential to be an elite starter if he puts it all together. In his lone season at Miami, he threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 13 games.

#2. Cleveland Browns - Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado

With Russell Wilson no longer available and Aaron Rodgers not making sense for this team whatsoever, they could look to the draft and grab a guy like Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland has desperately needed a quarterback ever since it became evident that the Deshaun Watson experiment was a failure. The 2-year starter at Colorado had an incredibly productive career and led the Buffs to a bowl game this past season. Sanders is a good pocket passer and shows accuracy and placement excellency. He's not the most mobile guy in the world, and he takes some unnecessary sacks, but with time he could be a good starter. In 2024, he threw for 4,134 yards, 37 TDs, and 10 INTs in 13 games, with 74.0% completion percentage.

#3. New York Giants - Abdul Carter | EDGE | Penn State

New York has signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to be their quarterbacks, so I doubt they draft one in this 1st round. Instead, it makes sense for the team to draft the best defensive player in the class, that being Penn State's Abdul Carter. This guy is probably the best edge rusher we've seen in the draft since Will Anderson Jr, possibly being an even better prospect. He's explosive, has a lot of athleticism, and plays with a ton of length and speed. He was a dominating force on Penn State's defensive line, becoming the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. In that season, he put up 68 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss (which led the FBS), and 12 sacks in 16 games. Pairing him with Brian Burns would be a lethal combination in the Big Apple.

#4. New England Patriots - Travis Hunter | CB/WR | Colorado

New England just needs everything. If I'm in their position, I'm taking the best player available, regardless of position. That player in this situation is Travis Hunter. In New England, I'd have to wager Hunter would be a receiver, despite how excellent he is at corner. New England has a decent corner room with the signing of Carlton Davis, so putting him at receiver would give Maye a good option next to Stefon Diggs. Hunter is an excellent receiver with the ball skills and catch radius of a Pro Bowl talent, and his versatility makes him an intriguing option for NFL teams. He'd be a game-changer either side of the ball, so seeing where a team puts him will be interesting. In 2024, Hunter won the Heisman Trophy, logging 4 INTs and 11 PBUs on defense with 1,258 receiving yards and 15 TDs on offense. It's one of the greatest seasons we've ever seen, and arguably the greatest two-way seasons of all time.

#5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Mason Graham | DT | Michigan

Mason Graham was the best interior defensive lineman in college football over the past two seasons. His game-breaking ability was a huge reason why Michigan won the National Championship in 2023, and a reason why they upset the future champions Ohio State in 2024. He doesn't have the greatest measurements in the world (short arms, etc.), but his ability and production is self-evident. I don't think teams are going to overthink Graham, who is going to be a good NFL player. Jacksonville needs more defensive help after a miserable 2024 season, and adding more interior help should be a priority. Next to 2024 2nd-rounder Maason Smith, Graham should be a good help. His strength and explosiveness are going to be a huge benefit to the Jags. In 2024, Graham was a 1st-Team All-American with 45 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks in 12 games.

#6. Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty | RB | Boise State

As much as I love Travis Hunter, Jeanty should've won the Heisman. We haven't had a RB prospect this electric since Saquon Barkley, and I say that with no hesitation whatsoever. I've seen comparisons to LaDainian Tomlinson, but Jeanty reminds me a lot of Marshawn Lynch in how impactful he is to a team. Well, the man who coaches the Las Vegas Raiders was able to get a lot of success in Seattle with the aforementioned Lynch, so I think adding a dynamic runner like Jeanty would serve him well. Jeanty has burst, speed, and explosiveness that you rarely see in running backs these days, and he was consistently making 50+ yard runs that just completely wore defenses down. He ran for 2,601 yards and 29 TDs in 14 games, averaging almost 186 yards a game and over 2 touchdowns. Insanity.

#7. New York Jets - Armand Membou | OT | Missouri

I hate to be predictable, but the Jets really need O-line help. With Olu Fashanu rocking the left side of the line, grabbing a guy like Membou to play right tackle could make a lot of sense. Membou was the best-graded athlete for OTs at the combine and showed a high level of production at Missouri. He'll be 21 years old by the time the season starts, so there's still a lot of room for him to improve as a player, but he's already very good now. He has good agility and speed for a tackle, and plays with very good body control. He's not the biggest player ever, but his technique and potential more than make up for it. He has started 30 games at right tackle over the past 3 years for the Tigers.

#8. Carolina Panthers - Jalon Walker | EDGE | Georgia

Carolina desperately needs to address their pass rush, as a past-his-prime Jadeveon Clowney is the only option they have that isn't mediocre at best. Jalon Walker is a small but talented edge rusher who shows a lot of athleticism and speed for the position. He's kind of like a diet Micah Parsons in how he split time between inside linebacker and edge rusher for the Bulldogs, but he played well at both spots. He's also an excellent leader who was a force on the defense. He'd be an excellent fit in a defense that needs a ton of help overall. Walker won the Butkus Award in 2024 as the nation's top linebacker, and backed that up with 60 tackles, 2 PBUs, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.

#9. New Orleans Saints - Will Johnson | CB | Michigan

Losing Paulson Adebo this offseason really hurts for New Orleans, who needs more help in the secondary. Will Johnson has been an elite corner for the Wolverines throughout his career, and, much like Mason Graham, was a key piece of their championship run. He's a bigger corner, with good instincts and smoothness that make him a dangerous threat for any opposing quarterback. I've seen him falling a lot in mocks recently, but I don't think teams are going to overthink this either. He's a good anticipator who would make a good duo with 2nd-year guy Kool-Aid McKinstry in the bayou. He had a foot injury in 2024 that limited him to just 6 games, but he put up 14 tackles, a TFL, and 3 PBUs in those games and was still a 3rd-team All-American.

#10. Chicago Bears - Shemar Stewart | EDGE | Texas A&M

There's a lot of unrealized potential with Stewart, who is one of the most athletic prospects in the draft. He just doesn't have the production other guys in this class has, but that's not going to be an issue with the Bears who select him here. He's got excellent explosiveness and has the size and length to be an excellent edge rusher in the modern NFL. He reminds me a lot of Travon Walker in how well he tested. Unlike Walker, though, Stewart doesn't even have moderate sack productions. At A&M, he only has a career 4.5 sacks through 3 seasons. If he can get proper coaching, he could be a game-wrecker, which is what Chicago banks on here. He'll be the 3rd rusher behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo for now, learning from them to hone his skills. In 12 games in 2024, he had 31 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, along with 2 PBUs and a forced fumble.

#11. San Francisco 49ers - Walter Nolen | DT | Ole Miss

It's been a while since I've seen a team get as decimated in free agency as the 49ers did this year. They lost their best corner, their 2nd best LB, a starting guard, a good tackle, a good safety, and more. They need a lot of help. Their current defensive tackle core isn't great after releasing both Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins due to cap concerns. Drafting a guy like Walter Nolen could be key to fixing that. Nolen has good size and twitch in his abilities as an interior rusher, and he's also a decent run-stopper. His athleticism is very good, and his production was excellent during his lone season at Ole Miss. He was a 1st-team All-American who had 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 3 PBUs in 13 games.

#12. Dallas Cowboys - Matthew Golden | WR | Texas

The Cowboys don't usually make very flashy selections, but a Texas guy could change that for them. Dallas needs help alongside CeeDee Lamb in the receiving corps, so a guy who ran a 4.29 40-yard-dash and put up good production at Texas could be a very big help. The Houston transfer is a versatile receiver with agility and body control to boot. I've seen comparisons to Chris Olave, which I can see in him. If he can develop his route-running to Olave's level, he will be an excellent NFL wide receiver. Dallas needs somebody to complement CeeDee and give Dak more help. Golden could be that. In 2024, he had 987 receiving yards, which led the team, and 9 receiving touchdowns in 16 games.

#13. Miami Dolphins - Kenneth Grant | DT | Michigan

Miami needs more help along the defensive line, and I think Kenneth Grant would be a strong selection for the team. Grant is a nose tackle who was an excellent run-stopping force the Wolverines. He has good size and strength, and has multiple highlights where he chases down guys with surprising speed. He's not going to impress anybody with sack production, but he will create pressure. Miami doesn't have much in their front apart from Zach Sieler, so adding Grant would be an excellent move. Grant was 3rd-Team All-American in 2024, with 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 5 PBUs in 12 games.

#14. Indianapolis Colts - Tyler Warren | TE | Penn State

The Colts need a tight end. Tyler Warren is the best tight end in the class. It's a no-brainer. Warren has a combination of size, athleticism, and toughness rarely seen at the position. He's not as good a prospect as Brock Bowers, but he's still a dang good prospect who dominated every team he played in 2024. He broke numerous Penn State records and won the Mackey Award as the best tight end in the country. What really brought Warren onto my radar was a game against USC in which he had 17 receptions for 224 yards and a touchdown in a gritty 33-30 conference win. That's the kind of play that could really help a young QB like Anthony Richardson. In 2024, Warren had 104 receptions for 1233 yards and 8 touchdowns.

#15. Atlanta Falcons - Donovan Ezeiruaku | EDGE | Boston College

Don't be surprised if the Boston College edge rusher goes a lot earlier than most people expect. Ezeiruaku was dominant for the Eagles this year, winning the Hendricks Award as the top defensive end in the nation. He's an outside linebacker who has good length and athleticism to back up his level of play. Atlanta has struggled with their pass rush for a while, so taking a guy like Ezeiruaku could really help boost that. Trading for Matt Judon didn't really do much, and I doubt signing Leonard Floyd will either. Ezeiruaku could be a good help in that group. In 2024, he had 80 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a PBU. He was also a team captain.

#16. Arizona Cardinals - Will Campbell | OT | LSU

Jonah Williams only has 1 year left on his deal, and he's had injury concerns. Drafting a guy to potentially play right tackle could be a good idea for the Cardinals. Is Campbell a right tackle? That depends on how you view him. He has shorter arm length than most, but he's been battle-tested by numerous high-caliber edge rushers at LSU and was dominant there for multiple seasons, being All-SEC all 3 seasons he played there. He started at left tackle for all 3 years and was easily one of the best linemen in the country. The only reason for the switch here is due to Arizona already having a quality left tackle in Paris Johnson. Rumor is that they're interested in drafting a right tackle, and Campbell is the best tackle available. I think it'd be a risk worth taking. He started 38 games for the Tigers over 3 seasons, was 1st-team All-SEC for 2 of those years, and was a 1st-team All-American in 2024. Very decorated and successful over his career.

#17. Cincinnati Bengals - James Pearce Jr. | EDGE | Tennessee

Cincinnati has yet to re-sign Trey Hendrickson, and he's the only really good edge the Bengals have. Adding to that room in the draft has to be a priority, and the Bengals have their pick of the litter in the 1st round. Between the 3 first-rounders I have available, I think Pearce makes the most sense for the Bengals. Pearce is explosive, has good speed and power, and has excellent length. He's not the biggest guy in the world, and his strength isn't elite, but he has a lot of athleticism and potential. He was a 1st-team All-SEC guy for 2 years for the Volunteers. In 2024, he racked up 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, a PBU and a forced fumble in 13 games.

#18. Seattle Seahawks - Kelvin Banks Jr. | OT/OG | Texas

Simply put, the Seahawks need offensive line help. Badly. The only position they really have solidified right now is the left tackle position, and even then, they still haven't extended Charles Cross. Kelvin Banks is a player they are rumored to have interest in, so drafting him here makes a lot of sense. The former Outland, Jacobs Blocking, and Lombardi award winner is a versatile prospect who could play either guard or right tackle for the Seahawks. With how rough their O-line has looked, he'd be an asset no matter where they put him. Banks was a 1st-team All-American and 1st-team All-SEC in 2024, so he's battle tested.

#19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jihaad Campbell | LB | Alabama

Lavonte David is one of the best linebackers of this generation, but he's 35 years old and probably doesn't have that much left in the tank. Drafting somebody to learn from him and fill that role could be a smart move for the Buccaneers, who have been linked to Jihaad Campbell. Campbell has a prototype build for a linebacker and plays with good speed and burst. He's an excellent tackler who has some concerns about his instincts, but played very well for Alabama in 2024. Perhaps he could help keep consistent excellence in Tampa Bay's linebacking corps. He was 1st-team All-SEC and had 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks in 13 games.

#20. Denver Broncos - Tetairoa McMillan | WR | Arizona

Denver needs to prioritize getting Bo Nix help on the offensive side of the ball. I could see them drafting any of a running back, tight end, or wide receiver with this pick. Here, they select the Arizona wideout who is likely to go higher than this, but falls here. McMillan is a big jump ball receiver similar to guys like Tee Higgins, Mike Evans, and Drake London. He was excellent for the Wildcats over his career, setting a school record with 3,423 receiving yards in 3 years. He's not the fastest receiver in the world but he has great instincts and ball skills that make him a cornerback's worst nightmare. He'd be an excellent fit in Denver, who's lacking a true #1 receiver. In 2024, McMillan put up 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and 8 touchdowns in 12 games, including a truly jaw-dropping 304-yard game against the New Mexico Lobos.

#21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jahdae Barron | CB | Texas

With the trade for D.K. Metcalf, I don't see the Steelers going wide receiver in the first round. Instead, I expect them to target the secondary, where they get the best nickel corner in the draft in Jahdae Barron. Pittsburgh signed Brandin Echols, but I don't think he's going to stop them from taking a prospect with this much potential. Barron is a fast corner with good size and athleticism, and he was highly productive in his career with the Longhorns. The Jim Thorpe Award winner plays with excellent awareness and strength, creating a dangerous threat for any opposing quarterback. He was a 1st-team All-American in 2024, putting up 67 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 5 interceptions, and 11 pass breakups in 16 games during Texas' successful season.

#22. Los Angeles Chargers - Colston Loveland | TE | Michigan

Jim Harbaugh would be licking his chops if Loveland was available at pick #22. The former Michigan Wolverine has been such an elite player for the team over the past 3 years, and has already proven to be a fit in Harbaugh's offense. The Chargers did sign Tyler Conklin, but he's not a long-term option. Loveland would be, and could make an immediate impact. Loveland is an excellent route-runner who has above-average speed and athleticism for the position. Justin Herbert could use more weapons after losing Josh Palmer, and adding a potentially game-changing tight end would be a smart move. In 2024, Loveland was 2nd-team All-Big Ten and started only 7 games due to injury. He finished the year with 56 receptions for 582 yards and 5 TDs.

#23. Green Bay Packers - Mykel Williams | EDGE | Georgia

Williams probably doesn't fall this far in real life, but that's the way this mock turned out. Green Bay could use some extra help on the defensive line next to Rashan Gary, and Mykel Williams is the best edge rusher on the board. Williams wasn't the most productive guy in college, but was a key piece of a good Georgia defense and was a national champion as a freshman. His explosiveness and athleticism will need to be honed by Jeff Hafley, but I definitely see the upside. He was a dangerous threat for Georgia, but wasn't a consistent starter and had an injury in 2024. In 12 games in 2024, he had 21 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks on his way to being named 2nd-Team All-SEC.

#24. Minnesota Vikings - Nick Emmanwori | SAF | South Carolina

I know a lot of people like Malaki Starks as the best safety in the class, but my money's on one Nick Emmanwori, who had one of the best combines of any prospect in this class. He has the traits and athleticism to be an elite safety at the next level, and that's something Minnesota is going to need with Harrison Smith on his last legs. My mentality here is that the Vikings can let Emmanwori learn from both Smith and Josh Metellus, and that could allow him to become a much better player down the road. He was a 1st-Team All-American in 2024, putting up 88 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 INTs, 2 pick-sixes, and 2 PBUs in 13 games.

#25. Houston Texans - Grey Zabel | OG/C | North Dakota State

Houston's offensive line was (how do I put this) a disaster last season. They 100% are drafting an offensive lineman with this selection, and it's malpractice if they don't. They traded Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green, somehow making an already bad offensive line worse. The signings of Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson don't give me much hope, but I think drafting a versatile guy like Zabel in the first round would be a good move. A left tackle at North Dakota State, Zabel also has experience playing guard and right tackle throughout his career. He'd likely play guard for the Texans, although I think he has the ability to play center if need be. He's a tough player with good size, strength, and quickness. He was a 1st-team FCS All-American for the national champion Bison.

#26. Los Angeles Rams - Josh Conerly Jr. | OT | Oregon

I would probably prefer to go corner here, but there are no guys that I feel are worth taking until the early-to-mid 2nd round. Perhaps a trade-back would be best here. I do love Josh Conerly, though, and feel that he's a highly underrated tackle in this class. With Rob Havenstein's age, the Rams could look to find a potential successor. I think Conerly could be just that for them. He's a young player who started two seasons at tackle for the Ducks, becoming one of the best linemen in the nation. He moves well and plays with good athleticism. The Rams already have their starting OL set for next season, but Conerly would work as a swing tackle before eventually becoming the starter at right tackle after Havenstein's contract expires. Conerly was a 1st-Team All-Big Ten player in 2024, starting all 14 games for the Ducks.

#27. Baltimore Ravens - Mike Green | EDGE | Marshall

Mike Green was one of the top edge rushers in the country last year, and falling to 27 may feel like a pipe dream for Ravens fans, but that's how this worked out. Baltimore needs more help on the edge next to Kyle Van Noy, and Green could serve to do that for them. An explosive, productive player for the Thundering Herd, Green fits that mantra well with his combination of strength and speed. He's not the biggest edge rusher in the world, but he plays in his frame well and impressed me in his performance against Ohio State this year. Green would be an excellent fit in Baltimore, who desperately needs more help in their pass rush. Green led the FBS with 17 sacks and also compiled 84 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 PBUs in 2024, while being named a 2nd-team All-American.

#28. Detroit Lions - Luther Burden III | WR | Missouri

Detroit continues their offensive approach by drafting a 3rd receiver in the first round. Next to Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, Luther Burden could help create a devastating combination. The former 5-star recruit may have had an underwhelming junior season, but he still offers high upside and ability at the next level. Burden has good hands and accelerates quite well. His athleticism is great and shows the potential to be a superstar. Adding him in Detroit's offense would just be insane. Honestly, if Detroit can avoid the awful injury luck they had in 2024, 2025 could be the year for them. Burden would make an already dangerous offense that much more impressive. In 2024, Burden had 61 receptions for 676 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns in 12 games.

#29. Washington Commanders - Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State

If I had to pick my personal favorite player in the class, it's easily Emeka Egbuka. An excellent route-runner who always seemed to have clutch catches at the right moment, Egbuka was a joy to watch as a Buckeye fan. He's not the most explosive player ever, but he's a Tyler Boyd-type that plays well from the slot and can do what you need him to do. I think he'll be a better NFL player, but it depends on the situation. Giving him a young, explosive quarterback like Jayden Daniels could do wonders. Daniels already has experience throwing to an elite Ohio State receiver, so adding another one would definitely be a boost to that offense. Commanders Super Bowl run in 2025? Could happen. Egbuka had 81 receptions for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, playing the No. 2 role behind Jeremiah Smith.

#30. Buffalo Bills - Malaki Starks | SAF | Georgia

Buffalo needs to look to add more help in the secondary. Starks is the best secondary player on the board, and has fallen further than most people expect he will come draft night. His football IQ is off the charts, showing versatility and instincts that are high-quality, as well. In a division that features the likes of Stefon Diggs, Garrett Wilson, and Tyreek Hill, a good leader like this in the secondary would be a big boost. He's not the most athletic player in the class, but his production in college shows that he is a good overall player. He started all 14 games for the Bulldogs in 2024, putting up 77 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, an INT and 3 PBUs on his way to becoming a Jim Thorpe Award finalist.

#31. Kansas City Chiefs - Derrick Harmon | DT | Oregon

Adding another defensive tackle next to Chris Jones has to be a priority for the Chiefs, who lost Tershawn Wharton to the Panthers in free agency. Derrick Harmon had a breakout season in his lone season with the Oregon Ducks, solidifying himself as a first-round prospect in my opinion. He first caught my eye in the first game against Ohio State. He's got a good build, with a lot of length and strength in his ability. He'd fill in nicely in Steve Spagnuolo's defense, which has been the high point of the Kansas City dynasty for the past 2 years. In 2024, Harmon was a 2nd-team All-American and had 45 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 4 PBUs, and 2 forced fumbles in 14 games.

#32. Philadelphia Eagles - Nic Scourton | EDGE | Texas A&M

For the last pick of the first round, I see the Eagles taking an edge rusher. Perhaps a guy like Ezeiruaku could fall to them, but I see Scourton as the last of the potential first rounders in this class. Losing Josh Sweat created a hole at the position that I think Scourton could fill well. The former Purdue transfer is a very physical player who plays with a lot of power. His aggressiveness could lend him will on their defensive line. In his lone season as an Aggie, Scourton led the team with 5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, starting 12 games.