Unpredictability is the embodiment of the 2025 NFL draft class. The class is filled with a multitude of talented edge rushers that all have a question, holding them all in a similar tier of prospect. The class may also be the deepest running back class the league has seen. This mock draft will include the entirety of round 1 with trades. With the chaos of draft day, there won’t be nearly as many trades as those made in the war rooms on Thursday, April 24.
1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Debates were made early in the offseason about who the QB1 of this class is but Ward is significantly better than Sanders and other analysts have come around to agree. Take your franchise QB and don’t overthink it.
2) Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Heisman and Bednarik winner has flipped the football world on its head. Hunter has the skills to be an elite receiver and cornerback, both positions of need for Cleveland. Don’t pass on what may be a generational talent.
3) Chicago Bears (from New York): Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
With multiple reports about Jacksonville’s desire for Jeanty, Chicago shoots up the board to secure the greatest running back prospect since Saquon Barkley. Jeanty had 2,700 all purpose yards and 30 touchdowns last year, showing the game-changing potential he can add to the Bears offense.
4) New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
New England’s offensive line is problematic at multiple spots but with a player like Carter that may be the best in the class, the Patriots take the best available player to be a cornerstone of the team’s defense.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
With Jeanty off of the board and multiple positions of need, Jacksonville takes the best available player. Graham will help Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker bring this defense back to its heights of the 2016-2017 Sacksonville defense.
6) Las Vegas Raiders: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Las Vegas was also a favorite for Jeanty but in this scenario, the priority should be to protect newly acquired quarterback Geno Smith. Campbell may be the best lineman in the draft and has faced great competition in his time at LSU.
7) New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
With a new regime, Aaron Glenn will opt to protect quarterback Justin Fields by taking Membou. He may need to be moved to guard considering his size but that would still be a positive for New York considering who they currently have on the roster.
8) Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
While quarterback Bryce Young continues to develop, Carolina will choose to bolster the defensive line and add a premier pass rusher in Walker to provide pressure along with defensive tackle Derrick Brown.
9) New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Earlier in the off-season, this pick would’ve been Shedeur Sanders, but as time passes, teams have continued to grow off of him. Considering that along with the fact that New Orleans has drafted an offensive or defensive lineman in the first round every year since 2014 and the streak will continue with Williams.
10) New York Giants (from Chicago): Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
After trading down with Chicago, the Giants are able to acquire multiple picks and still bolster a questionable offensive line. After missing on a tackle prospect in Evan Neal, New York hopes that Banks can be the teams’ tackle of the future.
11) San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
San Francisco lost many valuable players in free agency this year but one they will lose soon due to retirement is Trent Williams. Simmons will serve as a possible answer for a long-term replacement for Williams, having arguably the best size out of the classes’ tackles at 6 ‘5 and 311 pounds.
12) Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
With a team that is strapped for cash, Dallas will take any instant impact players that can make them competitive and McMillan will do just that. Pairing him alongside Ceedee Lamb could make for a duo that will haunt defenses.
13) Miami Dolphins: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
With the possible departure of Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland leaving in free agency, Miami’s secondary is very lacking. The Jim Thorpe Award winner can instantly become a leader for the Dolphins’ defense.
14) Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Despite Tyler Warren being on the board, I believe Indianapolis will select Loveland to serve not only as a safety blanket but as a strong route runner that can make major plays downfield. A trait that defined his play at Michigan, arguably better than Warren did.
15) Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
After spending years investing picks into the offense, Atlanta will take the most athletic edge rusher in the class. While Stewart had minimal production at A&M, never topping 1.5 sacks in a season, the Falcons will gamble on his physical features that had the 6 ‘5, 267 pound edge rusher run a 4.59 forty yard dash and a 40 inch vertical.
16) Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
It’s very possible that Arizona takes an offensive lineman here, but with the top talents off the board, they will opt for one of the best defensive tackles in the class in Nolen. He provides the run stuffing tools that the Cardinals are lacking.
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
After paying both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Cincinnati needs to hit on a defensive prospect to give the offense cushion. After failing to do so with players like Myles Murphy, they try again with Green who accumulated 17 sacks last year.
18) Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Seattle has refused to address their offensive line and with the best talent off the board, they will continue to do so and acquire a safety blanket for quarterback Sam Darnold. Warren can be used in a multitude of ways, whether that be in the slot, out wide or in wildcat. His versatility will add a new fold to the Seahawks’ offense.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, ILB, Alabama
With a thriving offense under quarterback Baker Mayfield, Tampa will find their new Lavonte David in Campbell. He is a superb tackler and has shown versatility, playing at multiple spots in Alabama’s defense.
20) Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC
Quarterback Bo Nix shined last year and with the additions to the defense in free agency with Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga, Denver can afford to spend a luxury on offense. The Broncos’ running back room has been messy to say the least and Hampton will be able to take the reins, adding a true rushing attack that Sean Payton can rely on.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
After making a trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf, I refuse to believe Pittsburgh will open the season with Mason Rudolph as the starting quarterback. We’ve seen the Steelers take a questionable quarterback talent in the first round with Kenny Pickett and they will do so again with Shedeur Sanders.
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Undoubtedly a great talent but injury concerns have led Johnson to fall into a reunion with head coach Jim Harbaugh. The departure of Asante Samuel Jr. calls for a need at cornerback and Harbaugh will be pleased to take one of his guys from Michigan at such a value.
23) Green Bay Packers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
With a lacking pass rush, Green Bay takes the next best edge rusher on the board in Ezeiruaku. He showed out last year with 16.5 sacks and will be able to not only pressure the quarterback but help Kenny Clark in the run game.
24) Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Starks may be the higher rated prospect at safety, but Minnesota is going to bank on the phenomenal physical traits of Emmanwori. Harrison Smith will serve as a great mentor for Emmanwori, creating a defensive back room that can handle the pressure that comes with Brian Flores’ heavy blitzing defense.
25) Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
After trading Laremy Tunsil, Houston needs as much help as they can get on the offensive line. Booker may be the best interior offensive lineman in the draft and will be an instant plug and play to protect quarterback C.J. Stroud.
26) Los Angeles Rams: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Bringing back Matthew Stafford as well as the acquisition of Davante Adams shows that the Rams want to compete now. Starks is an instant impact player that can be paired up with young safety Kamren Kinchens.
27) Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Oddly enough, Baltimore struggled on defense rather than their usual thriving. In response, the Ravens will take the best player available in Grant who will help stop rushing attacks and give his teammates the room to make plays in the backfield.
28) Detroit Lions: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
With the loss of Kevin Zeitler, Detroit assures themselves on the offensive line by taking Zabel to take the spot at guard. The Lions two-back system dissected defenses and this pick will keep that plan in motion.
29) Los Angeles Chargers (from Washington): Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
I wouldn’t be surprised if Golden is taken higher or if another team trades up earlier to take him but he falls to 29 in this scenario. Washington doesn’t need a receiver after acquiring Deebo Samuel Sr. and the Chargers bolt in to take advantage. Herbert will be able to open up the offense with Golden and allow Ladd McConkey to get more one on one opportunities.
30) Buffalo Bills: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Quarterback Josh Allen is coming off of an MVP season with the current offense so Buffalo opts to improve the defense. Harmon will be paired up with Ed Oliver and adds a strong interior pass rushing aspect to this defensive line.
31) Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Kansas City fell short in the Super Bowl and one of the main reasons was the lack of protection for Patrick Mahomes. That performance along with the loss of Joe Thuney leads the Chiefs to take the best offensive tackle off the board in Conerly Jr.
32) Philadelphia Eagles: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
With Super Bowl winning roster, Philadelphia has the luxury of taking whomever they please. Pearce Jr.’s lack of power and off the field issues cause him to fall into the lap of Howie Roseman who has shown time and time again that character issues aren’t the main concern when drafting. Pearce Jr. will serve as a replacement for Josh Sweat and in the Eagles defensive line, may be the steal of the draft.
