With the dust beginning to settle after the early stages of free agency, here’s my new projection for the first 32 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. Mocks are always a difficult exercise at this time of year, when there are still moves to be made before Round 1 kicks off, but it’s even more of a challenge this time around because I can’t remember a draft with less certainty than this one. It should make for a fun weekend in Green Bay when it’s finally time to start making the real picks!
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Pick
1
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward
Cam Ward
Miami · QB · Senior
As we inch closer to the draft, it’s beginning to look more and more likely that Ward will be the first overall pick, whether it’s to the Titans or one of the QB-needy teams that sit close behind them in the order, if one were to trade up to No. 1. In this case, Tennessee stays put and gets a fresh start at the position.
Pick
2
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
Abdul Carter
Abdul Carter
Penn State · Edge · Junior
The Browns could be weighing taking Carter second and a quarterback in Round 2 versus picking Shedeur Sanders at No. 2 and waiting on an edge rusher until the second round. I think you can make a strong argument that taking Carter and waiting for a second-tier QB in Round 2 is the better option.
Pick
3
New York Giants
New York Giants
Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders
Colorado · QB · Senior
I’ll be curious to see what the Giants do here. If Abdul Carter is available at No. 3, that might change things, but in this scenario, they secure their answer at quarterback.
Pick
4
New England Patriots
New England Patriots
Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter
Colorado · WR/CB · Junior
Bolstering the offensive line would seem to be the obvious move here for the Patriots, but it would be tough to pass up such a unique talent like Hunter. He would immediately be their most potent weapon for Drake Maye.
Pick
5
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jalon Walker
Jalon Walker
Georgia · Edge · Junior
Jalon Walker would form a dynamic trio with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, with the latter kicking inside on passing downs to give all three players the chance to rush the passer at the same time. Jalon Walker could play off-ball linebacker on early downs and then rush off the edge when it’s time to hunt the quarterback.
Pick
6
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty
Boise State · RB · Junior
The Raiders can take some pressure off of Geno Smith by adding Jeanty, who is one of the top three players in the draft.
Pick
7
New York Jets
New York Jets
Armand Membou
Armand Membou
Missouri · OT · Junior
Membou slides in at right tackle for the Jets. His size, physicality and athleticism would make him a great fit.
Pick
8
Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
Mason Graham
Mason Graham
Michigan · DT · Junior
The Panthers came up a little short in their pursuit of Milton Williams in free agency, but they get another chance to bolster the interior defensive line here. Graham would be a key addition for a defense that ranked last in yards and points allowed last season.
The Panthers came up a little short in their pursuit of Milton Williams in free agency, but they get another chance to bolster the interior defensive line here. Graham would be a key addition for a defense that ranked last in yards and points allowed last season.
Pick
9
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
Jihaad Campbell
Jihaad Campbell
Alabama · LB · Junior
Campbell has the versatility to be a major weapon for a creative defensive coordinator like Brandon Staley.
Pick
10
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
Will Campbell
Will Campbell
LSU · OT · Junior
The overhaul of the offensive line is now complete with a new left tackle in place. Chicago’s trio of March O-line acquisitions would be sandwiched between two top-10 picks in Campbell and right tackle Darnell Wright.
11
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
Jahdae Barron
Jahdae Barron
Texas · CB · Senior
The 49ers’ defense has seen a lot of departures this offseason, including at cornerback. Barron is one of the most consistent players on tape among prospects in this year’s class and he can take the ball away. He’ll be able to match up against some of the talented slot receivers in the division.
Pick
12
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden
Texas · WR · Junior
With Ashton Jeanty off the board, I wouldn’t rule out North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton landing here. In this case, the Cowboys give CeeDee Lamb a partner who can take the top off the defense and is more than just a speed threat.
Pick
13
Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
Malaki Starks
Malaki Starks
Georgia · S · Junior
The further we get into the evaluation process, the more teams I find that are in love with Starks’ game. He would be a plug-and-play replacement for Jevon Holland, with the versatility to play as a high safety or nickelback.
Pick
14
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Warren
Tyler Warren
Penn State · TE · Senior
Whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones starting for the Colts next season, the team needs to help its quarterback with some easy completions. Warren can provide them, and he’ll also be an asset in the run game for Jonathan Taylor.
Pick
15
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
Will Johnson
Will Johnson
Michigan · CB · Junior
While some inconsistencies popped up in Johnson’s 2024 tape, it’s hard to find big, rangy corners with his ball skills.
Pick
16
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
Grey Zabel
Grey Zabel
North Dakota State · IOL · Senior
There will be quite a few teams targeting Zabel in this area of the draft. He’s had a great process, from his final college season to the Reese’s Senior Bowl to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Pick
17
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Green
Mike Green
Marshall · Edge · Junior (RS
Green would be an outstanding complement to Trey Hendrickson if the Bengals are able to work things out with their star defensive end.
Pick
18
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
Colston Loveland
Colston Loveland
Michigan · TE · Junior
The Seahawks might have bigger needs, but the value is just too great to pass up Loveland at No. 18. The former Michigan tight end joins Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp to give Sam Darnold an intriguing group of pass catchers.
Pick
19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Boston College · Edge · Senior
Bucs GM Jason Licht has always valued production, and Ezeiruaku brings exactly that to the table with 16.5 sacks last season. He’s one of the most gifted pass rushers in the draft.
Pick
20
Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
Omarion Hampton
Omarion Hampton
North Carolina · RB · Junior
Head coach Sean Payton loves running his offense through the tight ends, running backs and slot receivers. The Broncos landed their tight end via free agency in Evan Engram and now they get a back with some big-time juice.
Pick
21
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart
Mississippi · QB · Senior
The Steelers’ plan at quarterback is not completely clear at the moment. Even if they were to land 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, they would still need a long-term option at the position, so they take another swing here with Dart.
Pick
22
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers
Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan
Arizona · WR · Junior
I won’t be shocked if McMillan goes in the top eight picks or if he slides into this section of Round 1. There is a wide range of potential landing spots for the former Arizona star, but the team that drafts him will be getting a receiver with incredible size, body control and ball skills.
Pick
23
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
Maxwell Hairston
Maxwell Hairston
Kentucky · CB · Junior (RS)
It’s not clear if Jaire Alexander has a future in Green Bay, so the Packers turn to the highly dynamic Hairston at cornerback.
It’s not clear if Jaire Alexander has a future in Green Bay, so the Packers turn to the highly dynamic Hairston at cornerback.
Pick
24
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
Nick Emmanwori
Nick Emmanwori
South Carolina · S · Junior
With Harrison Smith entering Year 14, the Vikings go get a young safety with the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways.
Pick
25
Houston Texans
Houston Texans
Kelvin Banks Jr.
Kelvin Banks Jr.
Texas · OT · Junior
Previously, I had mocked Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka to the Texans, but with the departure of Laremy Tunsil, it feels like the offensive line has moved to the top of the priority list.
Pick
26
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams
Trey Amos
Trey Amos
Mississippi · CB · Senior
The only question I had about Amos was his pure speed, but he put any concerns to rest at the NFL Scouting Combine with his 4.43-second 40-yard dash.
Pick
27
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Harmon
Derrick Harmon
Oregon · DT · Junior (RS)
Harmon is ultra disruptive. He plays with outstanding effort and a motor that would be appreciated in Baltimore.
Pick
28
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
Mykel Williams
Mykel Williams
Georgia · Edge · Junio
Williams is another player with a wide range of potential destinations. The production has trailed the athleticism, but there’s a ton of upside here.
Pick
29
Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders
Azareye’h Thomas
Azareye’h Thomas
Florida State · CB · Junior
Thomas is a long, rangy cornerback who can match up with some of the bigger receivers in the NFC East.
Pick
30
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
Kenneth Grant
Kenneth Grant
Michigan · DT · Junior
Grant fills a need for the Bills. They recently signed DT Larry Ogunjobi, but he’s facing a six-game suspension. Grant’s raw upside and athleticism are tough to pass up.
Pick
31
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
Josh Simmons
Josh Simmons
Ohio State · OT · Junior (RS)
I know the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore in free agency, but I’m not so sure Simmons won’t ultimately be the better option for them at left tackle. Regardless, building quality depth up front would seem like a wise move based on the issues they dealt with last season.
Pick
31
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
Josh Simmons
Josh Simmons
Ohio State · OT · Junior (RS)
I know the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore in free agency, but I’m not so sure Simmons won’t ultimately be the better option for them at left tackle. Regardless, building quality depth up front would seem like a wise move based on the issues they dealt with last season.
Pick
32
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
Shemar Stewart
Shemar Stewart
Texas A&M · Edge · Junior
Stewart has offered more disruption than production to this point in his career, but the Eagles made a similar move with Nolan Smith a couple years ago and it has paid off in a big way.
