I've done mock drafts for the past several years now, and each one feels a little different. Last year's felt like it centered on the quarterbacks and the picks that revolved around them. I remember 2021's was difficult because of how much the COVID pandemic impacted the 2020 season, and it was a much different sample size for each of the prospects. While writing this mock draft, I frequently asked myself a question that I've never asked before while writing any of my mock drafts: how will the 2025 NFL Draft be remembered?
If you ask the teams that are making these selections, they're in love with this year's class. Wanna know why? Not a single team has traded their first-round pick in this year's draft, so that has to speak some sort of volume. If you scroll through this list, you will not see the words "from ____" in any of the headlines below. The fact that every team in the NFL thought there would be some prospect in this first round that they like tells me this class is going to be strong. Is that how this draft is going to be remembered, as one of the NFL's best ever?
It is with that factoid that I present my annual mock draft, where I try to match the nation's top prospects with their future NFL home. As always, much like in real life this year, there are no projected trades in my draft, so you will not see any trade ups or trade downs over the next 32 picks. Let's see why the NFL front offices are so enamored, as I present my 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Tennessee Titans - QB Cam Ward (Miami)
If you told me heading into Week 16 that the Titans would hold the top pick in the draft, I would've doubted you greatly. Against all odds, Tennessee finds themselves in quite an interesting predicament heading into April 24. Every move they have made in the offseason signals that quarterback is the direction they are leading, with the signings of several offensive linemen. The journey from starter at Incarnate Word to potential number one pick has been fun to watch for Cam Ward. The Davey O'Brien winner, who tossed 39 touchdowns at Miami, calls Nashville home as the "generational talent" that new Titans GM Mike Borgonzi alluded to.
2. Cleveland Browns - EDGE Abdul Carter (Penn State)
That Myles Garrett trade request was scary, huh? Fortunately for the Browns, they threw $160 million at the four-time First Team All-Pro and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. This doesn't preclude them from taking, arguably, the most talented player on the board. Even with Deshaun Watson and Kenny Pickett projected to start under center for Cleveland, they decide to become a defense-oriented team. Carter was a monster at Penn State, racking up 12 sacks to go along with 43 solo tackles. He was a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten DPOY in 2024. The thought of Garrett on one side and Carter on the other should strike fear within the AFC North.
3. New York Giants - QB Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
A one-year deal for Russell Wilson and a two-year deal for Jameis Winston. To me, that doesn't signify a long-term answer at the quarterback position. While the Giants could select Sanders' teammate, Travis Hunter, the fact that both Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll kept their jobs tells me they intend to give it a try with another signal caller. If Ward is the pick at 1, Sanders would be the pick for Big Blue. He did have a strong season at Colorado: 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and a Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year nod is nothing to scoff at. Arch Manning is still a year away, and the G-Men could look completely different when I do my 2026 mock in Pittsburgh. If Sanders is not the pick at 3, you could pencil in Arch as an early contender for the Giants next year.
4. New England Patriots - CB/WR Travis Hunter (Colorado)
Out of all the teams that are near the top of this draft, the Patriots, to me, are in the best position. Presuming a quarterback goes in the top 3, they have multiple options on the table. If Hunter and Carter go before them, they could trade back, accrue several extra picks, and still get a position of need. If one of those two names is on the board, Eliot Wolf has an easy first round. In this mock, Hunter is the name available, and he finds a home in Foxborough. Hunter is one of the unique athletes available who can play both sides of the ball. He had 1,258 receiving yards on offense AND 11 pass deflections on defense. Oh, and he also won the Heisman, AP College Football Player of the Year, and the Big 12 DPOY. New England needs a cornerback and another wideout, even with the signing of Stefon Diggs. Travis Hunter checks both boxes.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - DT Mason Graham (Michigan)
It was not a fun offseason in Jacksonville. Impact players on offense such as Evan Engram, Christian Kirk, and Devin Duvernay found new homes, leaving the Jaguars with some holes to fill. Fortunately, they found their top wideout in last year's draft with Brian Thomas Jr., so it's now time to beef up the defensive side of the ball. In a perfect world, they nab Travis Hunter, but Graham is a need within the trenches. He's a 320-pound beast out of Michigan who collected 46 solo tackles in 2024, including seven in the Wolverines' game against the eventual champion Ohio State Buckeyes. He lines up alongside Josh Hines-Allen, Arik Armstead, and Travon Walker in a nasty D-line in Duval.
6. Las Vegas Raiders - RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
I have been banging this drum all offseason long, and even after adding Raheem Mostert, the Raiders' other moves have not swayed me from this pick. The Silver and Black were frontrunners for the top quarterbacks before making the move for Geno Smith, so they settle for one of the best running back prospects in years. Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah paced Las Vegas' backfield in 2024, so they make the decision to overhaul it with Jeanty. The Boise State rusher and Doak Walker winner emerged as one of college football's best players last season, with 2,739 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns. He instantly becomes the face of the Raiders' offense under new coach Pete Carroll.
7. New York Jets - TE Tyler Warren (Penn State)
The past season for the Jets was one I don't think they envisioned around this time last year. Aaron Rodgers is gone from the team, and Justin Fields has been brought in to be the team's starter. They also lost two pass catchers in Davante Adams and Tyler Conklin, and their offseason has focused on defensive additions. New York wants to add another pass catcher, and instead of looking at Tetairoa McMillan or Matthew Golden, they go for the top tight end available. Warren had 1,233 receiving yards on a great Penn State team, and he turns into the short check-down option for Fields' first year with the Jets.
8. Carolina Panthers - DT Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)
There are quite a few directions Carolina could go with their top pick. I was toying with the idea of giving them a wide receiver, but with both Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper still on the market, the Panthers could sign one of them. Their defense, however, needs some work. Their signings of Pat Jones and Tershawn Wharton helped, but another DT would do wonders. Nolen has been one of the draft's biggest risers, with 48 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2024. Carolina did take a step forward last season, so maybe some of these additions on the other side of the ball can bring them back to NFC South contention.
9. New Orleans Saints - CB Will Johnson (Michigan)
And speaking of teams that are looking to take that next step to becoming NFC South contenders, New Orleans is still looking for their Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo replacements, and they decide to take the top cornerback on the board. While edge rusher and quarterback could still be a focus for them, Johnson's slight slide lands perfectly with the Saints. Johnson's 2023 season pops out more than his 2024 campaign, but Michigan also won the National Championship that year. He had a pair of pick-sixes and 12 solo tackles last year, and has remained steady as one of the draft's top prospects.
10. Chicago Bears - OT Will Campbell (LSU)
The Bears did a lot of spending over the past few months, adding to both the offensive and defensive lines. The problem for Chicago is that this mock draft is not lining up well for them. Ashton Jeanty? Las Vegas bound. Mason Graham? Headed to the Sunshine State. This could be a good trade down spot, but at the end of the day, the top offensive lineman is ripe for the picking. Campbell is 6 feet 6 inches and weighs 323 pounds, filling the one spot left that's open for Chicago's O-line. Caleb Williams instantly becomes one of the most well-protected quarterbacks in the NFL.
11. San Francisco 49ers - T Armand Membou (Missouri)
It was an injury-riddled 2024 for San Fran, and Super Bowl aspirations waned over the course of the season. Much like the Bears, they also need some help on the line, and whichever of Campbell or Membou is available is who I believe they will grab. Membou has some size on him as well, a 6'3" 325-pounder from Missouri. Oh, and he also benched 31 reps at this year's combine. Membou will also get to learn from Trent Williams, one of the best offensive linemen of this generation. It's a big-year for Brock Purdy, and he will have all the tools needed in a contract year.
12. Dallas Cowboys - WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)
I was debating where to put McMillan, especially since so many teams before Dallas need a wideout, but this makes so much sense. The Cowboys are looking for their counterpart to Ceedee Lamb, and the ability to select the top wideout on the board at 12 should make Jerry Jones and company quite happy. The man nicknamed "Tet" had a spectacular three years with the Wildcats, collecting back-to-back seasons of at least 1,300 yards and 8 touchdowns. In a perfect world, McMillan becomes' Dallas version of Malik Nabers, as they look to take their NFC East crown back from the Eagles.
13. Miami Dolphins - OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas)
The Dolphins' top priority in this draft is to find the best possible protection for Tua Tagovailoa. With his history of injuries and concussions, Miami should add to their offensive line soon. Banks is one of the top linemen in this class, and won the 2024 Lombardi Award as the nation's top offensive lineman. He's only 21 years old, too. Yes, that may mean he requires some more time to develop, but he can easily switch between tackle and guard, both areas of need for the Fins.
14. Indianapolis Colts - TE Colston Loveland (Michigan)
Colston Loveland just feels like a player that the Colts would fall in love with. It's a big year for Anthony Richardson, and his job is far from secure. Even if Daniel Jones ends up winning the job out of camp, Indianapolis needs a short, check-down target. With Warren selected by the Jets, the Colts select the next best tight end out of Michigan. Loveland had 582 yards and five scores for the Wolverines, although, much like his teammate Johnson, he had a stronger 2023. Nonetheless, he becomes a reliable option for Richardson or Jones, depending on that camp battle.
15. Atlanta Falcons - LB Jihaad Campbell (Alabama)
If there was an award given out for most shocking draft pick, the Falcons would've easily won that award with their stunning pick of Michael Penix Jr. at 8. Fortunately, it looks like the risk paid off, but now there is no excuse for the Birds not to add to their defense. Campbell can go anywhere from inside the top 10 to the end of the first round, but I like this fit with the Falcons a lot. I don't think that Matt Judon is coming back, and even with the addition of Leonard Floyd, they could always use a linebacker that collected 119 tackles last season at one of college football's powerhouses.
16. Arizona Cardinals - LB Jalon Walker (Georgia)
Ugh, I was so torn between either Mike Green or Jalon Walker for the Cardinals, but I ultimately chose Walker because I think their linebacker corps needs more improvement than their defensive line. The 21-year-old from Georgia had his best season in 2024, with 6.5 sacks and 60 total tackles, including three each in the playoffs against Texas and Notre Dame. The Cardinals D as a whole needs some youth, and head coach Jonathan Gannon has done a great job injecting some during his tenure.
17. Cincinnati Bengals - EDGE Mike Green (Marshall)
Let’s talk about Mike Green then, shall we? There’s a perfect landing spot for him with the very next pick. The edge rusher from the Marshall Thundering Herd had some truly eye-popping numbers in 2024. He racked up 38 solo tackles with 17 sacks, and his stock is on the rise. The Bengals need some assistance on defense, especially if they do end up trading Trey Hendrickson. They would need a replacement, and Green is a great fit. In the case Hendrickson stays, he lines up on the opposite side in a nightmare defensive line.
18. Seattle Seahawks - OT Josh Simmons (Ohio State)
The Seahawks had quite the roster turnaround in the offseason, replacing Geno Smith with Sam Darnold and swapping out D.K. Metcalf for Cooper Kupp. Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet continue to lead the rushing attack, but they could use someone with some size to help the offense achieve its full potential. Simmons transferred to Ohio State in 2024, but he suffered a torn patellar tendon in October. The 317-pounder is reportedly on the right track to recovery, so if everything goes well, he and Charles Cross can anchor that Seahawks offensive line for years to come.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Jahdae Barron (Texas)
Tampa Bay is in a very good position entering this draft. There are not too many positions of need, but this would be a steal if they are able to snag Barron at 19. The Longhorns' cornerback has 200 tackles over the past three seasons, including 67 in 2024. He also collected 11 total tackles in Texas' victory over Arizona State in the Cotton Bowl. Barron is a bit on the older side; he's already 23 years old, but that should only help the defending NFC South champions as they look to take that next step into the conference's elite.
20. Denver Broncos - RB Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
Denver was one of the NFL's best stories last season. Their defense was among the NFL's best, and Bo Nix's rookie campaign was a resounding success. I was tempted to give them another wide receiver to pair with Courtland Sutton, but the rushing attack needs a major boost. Hampton has been one of the draft's biggest risers over the past several weeks, and it's easy to see why. He had over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. Hampton instantly becomes the bell cow back that Denver has been searching for over the past several years.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - DT Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
I'm making this pick under the assumption that the Steelers end up coming to terms with Aaron Rodgers, otherwise this pick could get very interesting. Regardless if they end up with Rodgers, their defensive line should be a priority. Cameron Heyward is not getting any younger, but ultimately a big-bodied nose tackle could be exactly what Pittsburgh needs. Grant had 32 tackles in 2024, including four in Michigan's game against the eventual champion Buckeyes. One of the top DTs in the class ends up on one of the NFL's elite defenses, while the Steelers can work out their quarterback situation down the road.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
There are several teams in this cluster that are looking for a wide receiver, and there's no one that needs it more than the Los Angeles Chargers. For the second time in three years, they essentially have their pick of the litter when it comes to the wideout group, apart from McMillan, of course. Out of Luther Burden III, Emeka Egbuka, and Matthew Golden, they select Egbuka. He spent three seasons with Ohio State, and while his 2023 was impacted by injury, his 2022 and 2024 seasons almost mirrored each other: over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ladd McConkey did well for the Chargers, and the team brought in another pass catcher in Tyler Conklin, but Egbuka becomes Justin Herbert's deep threat.
23. Green Bay Packers - WR Luther Burden III (Missouri)
Is this finally the year when the Packers select a wide receiver in the first round? It seems like over the course of my mock drafts, I frequently select one to end up in Lambeau, but it never comes to fruition. This year, the hometown Packers have several options at wideout, and while McMillan and Egbuka are off the board, they select Burden. His numbers saw a dip from 2023, where he had 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns, but a 676-yard, six-touchdown 2024 campaign is still quite impressive. He's got big play potential, and while he might not be the top wideout in Green Bay, a room with Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Luther Burden III should make Jordan Love quite happy.
24. Minnesota Vikings - S Malaki Starks (Georgia)
The Vikings have a pressing need in the secondary, specifically at the safety position. Harrison Smith is coming back for his 14th season, but eventually he will decide to retire. They lost Camryn Bynum as well, so they look towards the draft for his replacement. Starks, the top safety on the board, had 77 total tackles, leading all Georgia Bulldogs. He was a second-team AP All-American and second-team All-SEC, and should fit in seamlessly opposite Smith on the 2025 Vikings.
25. Houston Texans - WR Matthew Golden (Texas)
The Houston Texans went from the NFL's deepest teams at wide receiver to one of the weakest. Stefon Diggs left for the Patriots in the offseason, and Tank Dell is expected to miss the entire 2025 season after a brutal knee injury late last year. They remedy this by taking Matthew Golden, one of the stars of the 2025 Combine. He had a 4.29-second 40-yard dash and a 1.49-second 10-yard split in Indianapolis. With Texas, he had 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the team. He doesn't need to go far to find his NFL home, as he takes the 90-minute drive from College Station to Houston as CJ Stroud's number two wideout, behind Nico Collins.
26. Los Angeles Rams - OT Grey Zabel (North Dakota State)
Les Snead has been one of the NFL's best drafters, and he probably recognizes the Rams offensive line is getting older. Zabel has the height. He's 6 feet 6 inches, but at 305 pounds, he's a little lighter than some of the other top linemen. However, he had a 36.5-inch vertical at the combine, proving how agile he is as an athlete. The Rams could put him at any of the five positions on the line, but I envision him as the Rams' starting center in 2025.
27. Baltimore Ravens - EDGE James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)
I'm a huge James Pearce Jr. fan. I could absolutely see him going before this, but if I'm the Ravens I do not let him make it past 27. Pearce had 28 solo tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2024, and was a first-team All-SEC. The 2024 season was his second consecutive, as his 2023 season saw him collect another 9.5 sacks. Pearce had back-to-back campaigns where he led the Volunteers in total tackles for loss as well. The Ravens didn't make too many additions on defense in the offseason, so they draft another pass rusher up front to line up with Nnamdi Madbuike.
28. Detroit Lions - EDGE Mykel Williams (Georgia)
2024 resulted in the best season in franchise history for the Lions. The team went 15-2, but the playoffs left a sour taste in the mouths of Motor City. It seems like the offense is pretty set in stone, but another edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson could be lethal. Williams, the defensive end from Georgia, could be the perfect fit. He was a Second-team All-SEC and had 21 tackles last year, all of which he played through an ankle injury. Dan Campbell loves his tough players, and Mykel Williams is one of the toughest in this year's class.
29. Washington Commanders - S Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)
While Detroit might've had their dream regular season, Washington had the playoff run that this franchise has been longing for. The team now looks like serious contenders for the first time in ages, and they added some nice pieces in free agency. There's still a bit of a hole at safety, and Emmanwori is still on the board. He had a fantastic 2024, with 88 tackles and four picks to go along with a First-team AP All-American nod. Emmanwori's combine was amazing as well, with a 1.49-second 10-yard split and 43-inch vertical jump leading all the 2025 class. While I still think Starks is the top safety in the class, picking Emmanwori at 29 would be a coup for the Commanders.
30. Buffalo Bills - DT Derrick Harmon (Oregon)
Cornerback could be the move here, but I love the idea of a strong defensive tackle wreaking havoc up front in Buffalo. Harmon, a 310-pound defensive tackle from Oregon, had his best college season in 2024. He had five sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles across 14 games, with three solo tackles coming in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State. The Bills made a huge addition to their defense by signing Joey Bosa, but adding Harmon up front alongside the dangerous Ed Oliver would take that side of the ball to the next level.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - G Tyler Booker (Alabama)
For the first time since my 2022 mock draft, the Kansas City Chiefs are not picking last in the first round. It would not surprise me to see Booker go before 31, especially if a team trades up in the draft. The Chiefs are no strangers to doing that, but in this scenario, Booker falls to them at 31. Another first-team All-SEC, he started 12 games at left guard, one of Kansas City's biggest positions of need. Booker becomes the Joe Thuney replacement as the Chiefs try to win their third Lombardi in four seasons.
32. Philadelphia Eagles - EDGE Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)
Congratulations goes out to the Eagles on winning their second Super Bowl in franchise history! After 2023 fell flat, the Eagles made all of the right moves, which resulted in a victory over the Chiefs. With that said, the team did lose some pieces in free agency on the defensive side of the ball and didn't sign any replacements. Philadelphia always seems to find steals in the draft, and that's the case once again with Stewart. The Texas A&M product had 31 tackles last season, and although he's not a Georgia Bulldog, I don't think he'd have any problems going to the defending Super Bowl champions.
Another year, another mock draft that is checked off. It was fun to look at every team this year for the first time in the mock draft's history, seeing what pieces would turn each squad into contenders. Some are looking for minor tweaks, while others are looking at major overhauls to the roster. Did I do your team justice? Do you think your group will go in a different direction? And perhaps, most importantly, how will you remember this great young group of talent years from now?
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