2025 Mock Draft #1

We’re officially less than a month away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and the dust is finally starting to settle with the first wave of free agency now complete. With rosters beginning to take shape, team needs are coming into focus, and so is the draft board.

As always, this mock draft isn’t about what I would do—it’s a blend of team needs, conversations with plugged-in beat reporters, tendencies of GMs and scouting departments, positional value in today’s cap era, and a whole lot of tape study. This year’s class might not have the headline-grabbing offensive talent we saw in 2024, but it’s still deep with quality players across the board.

Let’s take a look at how things are shaping up as April approaches.

It’s becoming harder by the day to imagine a scenario where Cam Ward doesn’t go No. 1 overall to Tennessee. The team sat out the quarterback carousel in free agency and didn’t make a move via trade—pretty much waving a flag that says, “We’re taking a QB.” And with how the Will Levis experiment unraveled in 2024, there’s really no mystery about what’s coming next. When teams are desperate for a quarterback, they rarely trade out of the top spot, no matter how tempting the extra picks may sound. History shows us that if you don’t take your shot now, you’ll just end up spending more capital trying to trade back up in a year or two.

Ward isn’t without his critics—just like Jared Goff and Carson Wentz weren’t in 2016—but sometimes the supply-and-demand curve does all the talking. When there’s a premium on quarterbacks, even a flawed QB prospect with tools is going to rise. And make no mistake, Ward’s tools are impressive. He’s bigger, faster, and has more arm talent than Shedeur Sanders, and his ceiling gives Tennessee something they desperately need: hope. The Titans are in full reset mode, and this pick is about more than just talent—it’s about getting the GM, head coach, and QB all on the same page for once. For Tennessee, this is the start of a new era. For Cam Ward, it’s the chance to be the face of it.

It’s no secret the Browns need a new signal caller after the Deshaun Watson saga went completely sideways, but a lot of insight from some scouts has led me to believe that a lot of buzz around Shedeur Sanders is more media-generated than it is a reality in NFL circles.

How do the Browns pass up the chance to pair a player like Carter with Myles Garrett, who was just re-signed to a monster deal? The Browns still have a lot of holes, but you can hide a lot of sins on defense with two dominant pass rushers, and in a division with Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, maybe that’s not such a bad idea after all.

The Giants brass is in a tough spot. After a surprise initial season that saw them revive Daniel Jones’ career and win a playoff game, the last two years have been anything but joyful in New York.

New York signed veteran QBs Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this offseason, and while that’s hardly exciting for Giants fans, they might be better off seeing what QBs are there at the back of Round 1 or at Pick 34 versus forcing a QB here.

Hunter would give the Giants a potential shutdown cornerback in a division with the likes of CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, and Terry McLaurin. Sprinkle him in for 15 plays a game on offense across from Malik Nabers. Yeah, I’d like to see that.

Get ready for the upcoming ESPN 30 for 30 about Will Campbell’s arm length. His measurements were different at the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine, and at his Pro Day, so what do we make of it all?

Campbell has been a rock on LSU’s offensive line for three straight seasons, and he brings the kind of toughness and consistency that NFL teams crave in the trenches, especially new head coach Mike Vrabel.

Some scouts think he may eventually kick inside to guard at the next level—especially when matched up against the freakiest edge rushers in the league—but wherever you plug him in, you’re getting a long-term starter. He’s got the frame, the grit, and the experience to step in and contribute right away. Whether he sticks at tackle or becomes a mauler on the interior, Campbell’s name is going to be penciled into starting lineups for a long time. Too many people out there are overthinking this one.

This pick is interesting. New GM James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen are both in their first year on the job, with no prior history for us to go off.

The Jaguars could go a variety of ways here, but a player like Graham could step in and play immediately and fill a huge need along the interior of the defensive line.

Would this really surprise anyone? New head coach Pete Carroll will be 74 this fall and the team’s depth chart at running back is bare, and the team recently traded for veteran QB Geno Smith, signaling a plan to win-now.

While it might be fair to question the ceiling of the Raiders’ current roster makeup, you can’t blame them for wanting to be competitive immediately.

There’s a real argument to be made that Ashton Jeanty should’ve taken home the Heisman over Travis Hunter—and his 2,600+ rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in a single season certainly back that up. The Boise State star is a true three-down weapon who can catch passes, run through contact, and stay on the field in any situation.

While he may not have the same top-end burst as someone like Jahmyr Gibbs, who went 12th overall in 2023, Jeanty brings more physicality as a runner. The Raiders grabbing him at No. 6 wouldn’t be a reach in this year’s draft, as many of the scouts feel like the draft class starts to significantly taper off after the first few picks but that there are plenty of capable starting players available in the top 50.

The Jets are another team with a brand new head coach and front office, and there’s no telling what they’ll do. The roster itself has a lot of nice pieces, but it’s fair to wonder just how far they’ll go in 2025.

Justin Fields will make the offense a little more exciting, but the team could definitely use some additional reinforcements along the offensive line.

Membou is still a relatively young player, but all of the scouts have been raving about his upside.

Stewart didn’t pop on the stat sheet as much as some wanted, but there’s no denying high athletic prowess and high-end traits as an edge rusher. Carolina needs somebody to get after the opposing QB in the worst way after their defense surrendered 534 points, the worst in NFL history. Yikes.

Campbell is one of those Swiss Army knife defenders that modern NFL defenses love to deploy. Originally brought to Alabama as an edge rusher, he made the shift to linebacker thanks to the Tide’s ridiculous depth at the position. In 2024, Campbell lined up both off the ball and on the edge, giving scouts a good look at just how versatile he can be.

The Bears could go any number of ways here. They have two second round picks (No. 39 and 41), and have the ammo to move up if they need it. After filling a variety of needs in free agency, Chicago takes one of the top players on the board here.

Emmanwori looks more like a linebacker than a traditional safety—and he plays like one too. At 6-foot-3 with a rocked-up frame, he brings a physical presence to the secondary that jumps off the screen. He’s got sharp instincts and a nose for the ball, especially when playing close to the line of scrimmage. He’s a tone-setter in run support and has the kind of range and length that will let him match up with tight ends or chase down running backs in space. For the right team, Emmanwori won’t just be a fit—he’ll be a chess piece that changes how you can play defense.

Williams has all the potential in the world, even if that hasn’t exactly translated on the stat sheet. Injuries limited his 2024 campaign, but he’s an absolute physical specimen with long arms and powerful hands.

The 49ers could go any number of ways here after resetting their roster a bit this offseason, and they probably figure they won’t be picking this high again. So, why not find a guy who could wreck havoc on opposing defenses across from Nick Bosa?

Opinions on Tet are mixed. He’s a dynamic playmaker who shines at the catchpoint, but some scouts question his ability to separate at the next level. 

Dallas has an elite option in CeeDee Lamb, but not much else on the depth chart. They need to get Dak Prescott some more weapons. This is a popular landing spot for Ashton Jeanty, but I’m just not sure he falls this far.

Johnson didn’t quite light it up in 2024 the way some expected—and part of that can be chalked up to playing through some nagging injuries—but his 2023 film is what scouts keep coming back to, and it’s easy to see why. As a key piece of Michigan’s National Championship defense, Johnson looked like a future CB1 with his blend of size, movement, and instincts.

At 6’2″, he’s a big, physical corner who can match up with bigger receivers, yet his footwork and fluidity make him just as comfortable playing in the slot or off-coverage. He’s calm, patient, and doesn’t get grabby at the top of routes. If he’s healthy, there’s every reason to believe Johnson can be a high-end starter early in his NFL career.

This one is popping up in every mock, but it’s an ideal fit. The Colts have a glaring need at the position and lost a few players along the offensive line. In steps Warren, an athletic specimen who can stretch the seam and blow up linebackers in space on the next.

A lot is riding on GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen to develop quarterback Anthony Richardson, and who better than Warren at 6-foot-5 and 256 lbs to provide a big target for their often inaccurate quarterback?

The Falcons haven’t had a dominant player off the edge since the days of John Abraham, and they need to shore up this position in the worst way.

Green’s path to the 2025 NFL Draft hasn’t exactly been a straight line. After being dismissed from Virginia Tech a few years back, he landed at Marshall and quietly turned himself into one of the most explosive edge rushers in the country. Whatever concerns teams may have once had seem to be in the rearview now, as he’s impressed in interviews and has kept a clean slate ever since.

On the field, Green made sure everyone knew his name after wrecking Ohio State’s offensive line early in the season. From that point forward, he was a problem – racking up pressures and showing a relentless motor that didn’t slow down as the season wore on. He’s added good weight to his frame, now tipping the scales at over 250 pounds, and he flashed that same burst and bend down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. In a class that’s still sorting itself out at edge, Green’s tape speaks loud and clear.

Walker is one heck of a football player, and the only reason he falls this far is because of teams not knowing exactly where he fits. Walker is one of those classic Georgia defenders who can do a little bit of everything- and do it well. Whether he’s lined up off the ball or screaming off the edge, he brings juice to a defense. In 2024, he logged 34 pressures and 7 sacks, showing that his pass-rushing ability isn’t just a bonus trait – it’s a legitimate strength.

After quarterback Joe Burrow had a sensational 2024 campaign and the team locked up star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for the future, it would be a crime if the Bengals went anywhere besides defense here.

Seahawks GM John Schneider knows he needs to invest some resources into the interior of the offensive line, right? Banks played tackle in college, but many of the scouts feel he is best at guard.

If Seattle doesn’t beef up their line a bit before the season, Sam Darnold is going to get killed, and we already saw in Week 18 and in the Wildcard Round what happens when he’s under duress.

Bucs GM Jason Licht is the king of sitting back and drafting good football players who might have been overlooked elsewhere. Barron has relatively short arms for a corner (29 ⅝”), but there’s no denying his talent.

This draft is very deep at running back, but head coach Sean Payton is never shy about drafting guys he likes. Hampton looks every bit the part of a workhorse NFL back—big, athletic, and built to take on a full load. His running style is aggressive out of the gate; he presses the hole with purpose before making his move, and when he bounces it outside, he’s got enough juice to get the edge. What really makes him dangerous, though, is the mix of power and balance he brings to the table. He doesn’t just absorb contact—he runs through it. In the open field, he’s loose and shifty enough to make defenders miss, and he rarely goes down on first contact.

TRADE ALERT. Giants send 34, 65, and a 2026 second; Steelers give up 21 and a 2026 fourth.

There’s always a tax involved with trading up for a quarterback, and Pittsburgh, having just six picks in the draft after giving up their 2025 second for WR D.K. Metcalf, is happy to oblige.

Sanders is one of the more intriguing evaluations in this draft class—not because of the flash, but because of how clean and composed his game often looks on film. He’s not a towering presence in the pocket, nor does he have a rocket for an arm, but what he lacks in raw traits, he makes up for in poise, processing, and football IQ. He sees the field well, gets the ball out on time, and rarely looks rattled, even behind Colorado’s chaotic offensive line. That kind of calm under pressure will absolutely appeal to teams in need of stability under center.

Now, the Giants are in a tricky spot. Ownership gave Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen one more swing at fixing the quarterback position after the Daniel Jones era fell flat, and while Shedeur could be their guy, the optics aren’t ideal. Pairing a rookie quarterback with a coach and GM on the hot seat is rarely a recipe for long-term development. If Sanders lands in New York, he may need to grow up fast—especially with the pressure that the market brings. He’s got the brain and the intangibles, but whether his arm strength and frame hold up against NFL defenders is a question that needs answering early.

After moving on from Joey Bosa this offseason and only bringing Khalil Mack back on a one-year deal, the Chargers know they need a succession plan along the edge.

Pearce Jr. didn’t exactly light it up in the College Football Playoff like some expected—but that wasn’t entirely on him. Tennessee fell behind early against Ohio State, and when you’re trailing from the jump, it’s hard to tee off as a pass rusher. That said, the tape tells the real story: Pearce is one of the most naturally gifted edge defenders in this class. He’s long, lean, and lightning-quick off the ball. His bull rush packs a punch, and he’s the kind of player who can win from multiple alignments—whether he’s lined up wide or crashing down from the interior.

Revel tore his ACL and missed a good chunk of the 2024 season, but he checks a lot of the boxes NFL teams look for in modern-day corners—he’s big, he’s fast, and he plays with a physical edge. At 6’2”, he’s got the kind of length that makes throwing outside the numbers a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.

That rare mix of size and speed usually gets a bump on draft day, and for good reason. Corners built like Revel don’t grow on trees, and when you’ve got someone who can both erase throwing windows and hold his own in the run game, you’re looking at a potential early-round riser.

The J.J. McCarthy era appears to be underway up Minnesota, and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is sticking to his guns of building a loaded roster about their quarterback while he’s on a rookie deal.

After a disappointing season that saw quarterback C.J. Stroud constantly under duress, an offensive rehaul is underway in Houston this offseason after left tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Washington Commanders.

Booker’s athleticism didn’t exactly pop at the NFL Combine, but he’s a hard-nosed, gritty, smart player who figures to be a solid starter at the NFL level for the next decade.

After moving on from wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the Rams continue their youthful overhaul and add some much-needed juice to their offense.

As a player who generated a lot of buzz at the Combine, Zabel can play inside and out and potentially give the Ravens a fallback plan at left tackle if Ronnie Stanley is unable to stay healthy.

The Lions were one of the funnest teams to watch in 2024, but they fell short in the playoffs after too many injuries derailed their season. Now comes the real challenge of staying solid on both sides of the ball with both of their coordinators gone.

TRADE ALERT. Tennessee sends No. 35, No. 103. Washington moves back from No. 29.

After realizing they couldn’t spend the massive amount of cap room they had due to a lot of teams being able to re-sign their own players after the massive jump in the salary cap from 2024 to 2025, Washington opted to convert many of their draft picks into players instead.

The Titans need to set their new franchise QB up for success and who better to do it than with a sure-handed receiver in Egbuka? His slide ends here.

At 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, Grant is built like a bank vault—and moves a lot better than you’d expect from a guy his size. There are flashes on tape that make you do a double take, moments where he shows off rare explosiveness and power for someone north of 330. The consistency still needs to get better, but this league is always going to bet on traits, especially when they come packaged like this.

Simmons may have missed most of the 2024 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in October, but his rare combination of size, length, and athleticism at left tackle is hard to ignore. While he didn’t participate in interviews at the NFL Combine—raising some eyebrows—his physical profile speaks for itself. At a position where traits often get prioritized over polish, Simmons has the kind of tools that get front offices buzzing.

While Starks’ 2024 production didn’t quite match the splash plays he made in 2023, his value comes from his versatility. Starks can line up deep, play in the box, or even cover the slot if needed. He’s not the loudest name in this draft class, but his ability to move all over the field and elevate the players around him is exactly what makes him so appealing. Plug him into any defense, and you’ve got a steady, smart, tone-setting presence on the back end.

The Eagles find an instant, plug-and-play type of replacement for C.J.Gardner-Johnson.