My 2025 NFL Mock Draft
This is my predictive 2025 NFL Mock Draft, where I go through each team's round 1 pick and try to predict who they select. I'm not an insider, but I think I have some insights worth checking out.
It’s that time of the year again, as the NFL draft is hours away. This draft has been an interesting one to evaluate, given the lack of consensus opinion in value at the top. Although talent evaluations vary greatly, more than in most years, mock drafts have gotten very similar to each other in the past week or so. Now, it’s time to put my own mock together.
This is a predictive mock draft, meaning that the picks here are what I think will happen, not what I would do if I was picking for every team. However, this exercise is super hard, and most people don’t even get close to half of the picks correct. I’m also not going to predict a trade, as although I’m almost certain there will be trades, trying to predict them is such a crapshoot that it’s not worth it. Let’s get into it…
1: Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Ward has flaws, but his profile is worthy of the first pick in most drafts. He’s improved in every season in college, going from Incarnate Word to Washington State to Miami, and that determination shows in his strong leadership skills as well. He’s good within the structure of the play, and has some magical plays on the run.
His fatal flaw is his tendency to make some stupid throws from time to time, but some of that can be explained by his terrible defense forcing him to take risks. The Titans need a QB after Will Levis’s comically disastrous season, and they’ve spent all offseason investing in an Offensive Line to protect their rookie QB.
Other possible picks: there are none, Ward will be a Titan.
2: Cleveland Browns - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Travis Hunter could be the Shohei Ohtani of football. He played on both offense and defense at Colorado, a feat that basically nobody has ever done in the highest levels of competition. Hunter is probably the best receiver in this class and definitely the best Cornerback.
The one hold-up with Hunter is his size, as his smaller frame may not hold up playing more snaps than anyone else in the NFL, a league with even more freak athletes than college football. The Browns need both WR and CB (though they need WR more), so Hunter makes sense for them as well.
Other possible picks: Abdul Carter
3: New York Giants - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Giants still need a long-term solution at Quarterback, but Shedeur Sanders isn’t worth this pick. Abdul Carter is the most explosive player in this draft class and has speed off the edge that you almost never see.
He only has one year of experience as an Edge Rusher, yet he’s incredible at it. New York doesn’t badly need a pass rusher, but recent top 5 pick Kayvon Thibodeaux has underwhelmed so far in the NFL, and Carter is easily the best player available.
Other possible picks: Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, Trade back
4: New England Patriots - Will Campbell, OT, Louisiana State
The Patriots badly need a Left Tackle for second-year QB Drake Maye, as their current starter is Vederian Lowe. Will Campbell played as LSU’s Left Tackle for three years, and he was a very formidable protector for several NFL Quarterbacks.
Some teams will prefer him at Guard because he has short arms by NFL standards, and he probably isn’t worth a top 5 pick in most drafts. Even with limited upside, the Patriots almost certainly won’t regret picking a player with as high of a floor as Will Campbell.
Other possible picks: Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan, Trade back
5: Jacksonville Jaguars - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Everyone thought Mason Graham would go here until this weekend, but the odds are shifting towards Jeanty being the fifth pick, whether that be for Jacksonville or a team that wants to trade up. Ashton Jeanty tore up college football in 2024, with 2,601 rushing yards and 1,970 rushing yards after contact, a number that is almost never reached.
The Jaguars aren’t in immediate need of a Running Back, but they could still use one. Travis Etienne has disappointed for two seasons in a row, and his contract expires after 2025. Jeanty could transform this offense and turn it into a borderline top ten unit.
Other possible picks: Tetairoa McMillan, Mason Graham, Tyler Warren
6: Las Vegas Raiders - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Raiders were rumored to take Jeanty for a while, but now it looks like they won’t even if he somehow makes it there. Their offensive line is playable, but certainly not great, and there is room to improve on DJ Glaze at Right Tackle. My instincts lean Membou, but Banks’s high character has made him a rapid riser and common pick for Las Vegas.
Kelvin Banks is a somewhat polarizing but very sound prospect. He played for three years as Texas’s Left Tackle, but some evaluators view him as a Guard long-term. Regardless, he’s a scheme fit wherever he lands, and teams should be willing to fail him at Tackle before putting him at Guard.
Other possible picks: Ashton Jeanty, Armand Membou, Mason Graham
7: New York Jets - Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The draft could get crazy starting here at 7 with the Jets. New York has had nearly no leaks tipping their hand, so I’m going to default to my view of their roster. Their biggest needs are at WR/TE, DT, and Right Tackle. The latter is what I’m going with, as the Jets could build a legitimately great offensive line for Justin Fields.
Armand Membou has tremendous upside as an Offensive Tackle at the NFL level. He’s an incredible athlete, and his traits show up on the field. The NFL will love his traits, and he is technically sound enough to start from day 1. The main question mark on his evaluation is that he has always been on the less valuable right side of the offensive line, so teams looking for a Left Tackle may be less sure about his projection to the next level. Membou is the best player available here; he has the chance to be an All-Pro, and he’s not too far from his ceiling.
Other possible picks: Mason Graham, Tyler Warren, Tetairoa McMillan
8: Carolina Panthers - Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia
Carolina is very probable to be the first team to trade out of the top ten this year, as they do not own their own second round pick, but I’m not predicting trades in this exercise. The Panthers ranked near or in last place for every relevant defensive metric last season, which wasn’t surprising given their roster. Their Edge Rushers were the worst of the group, as they had no juice after trading Brian Burns to the Giants.
Jalon Walker is the best the Panthers can do to fill Burns’s void, as he’s a great fit in Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero’s defense as a 3-4 stand-up Edge Rusher, and although his status as a lighter rusher makes him a projection, Walker has sky-high upside.
Other possible picks: Mykel Williams, Tyler Warren, Tetaroia McMillain
9: New Orleans Saints - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Mykel Williams is going to go earlier than people think, and I think he could be the heir apparent to Cameron Jordan as an Edge Rusher. Williams, who is only 21 years old, is a day-1 strong run defender who will have a runway to develop as pass rusher and learn from Jordan.
The Saints have tons of needs, and when that’s the case, teams often default to the trenches. Defensive Line is both an immediate and future need, given there is no certainty with anyone on that group in New Orleans. I’ve had Williams here for a few days, and it seems as though the rest of NFL Draft media has as well.
Other possible picks: Tetairoa McMillan, Tyler Warren, Jaxson Dart
10: Chicago Bears - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Bears patched up most of their glaring needs in free agency, so they have the agency to pick their top player available. Although they have Cole Kmet, Warren can start by playing alongside him and turn into a weapon for Ben Johnson’s offense as a menace with the ball in his hands.
Tyler Warren was the entire Penn State Offense in 2024, and they were exceptional. He was their number 1 option in the receiving game, was frequently asked to convert shallow targets into big gains after the catch, and even threw some passes. His blocking is good, though flawed, and he’s not quite the fluid route runner that Brock Bowers was last year. However, I’m willing to bet that Warren will be productive in the NFL.
Other possible picks: Kelvin Banks Jr., Mason Graham, Ashton Jeanty
11: San Francisco 49ers - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
I’m fairly confident that this pick will be a defensive lineman, given the lack of talent outside of Nick Bosa in that group. Guessing which defensive lineman this will be, however, is a total mess. Between Stewart, Green, Williams, Grant, Harmon, and Nolen, they could take anyone and he’d start immediately.
Walter Nolen has been a late riser, implying that some character concerns may not be as big as perceived. He’s been in college for a while, but his best plays make him look like one of the five best players in this draft. Nolen’s explosiveness and athleticism gives him sky-high upside, and if the right DL coach can fix up his technique and inconsistency, the rest of the league will have trouble game planning for Nolen.
Other possible picks: Mykel Williams, Mike Green, another Defensive Tackle
12: Dallas Cowboys - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Cowboys have one great Wide Receiver, Ceedee Lamb, but not much else. McMillain is a value pick at a position of need for the Cowboys at 12, and if McMillan hits his ceiling, he can be truly elite. Tee Higgins is a common comparison, and I get it.
He’s 6’4, though he’s thinner and more fluid than most 6’4 WRs, and his volleyball background stands out in his contested catch ability. He’s a polarizing prospect, but a risk that I anticipate Dallas is willing to take.
Other possible picks: Matthew Golden, Mike Green, Ashton Jeanty
13: Miami Dolphins - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Dolphins have a ton of needs, with the departures of Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey looming. They also haven’t had a good Offensive Line in forever, though they seem to be rolling with last year’s 2nd round pick Patrick Paul this year. One spot they badly need to address is Defensive Tackle next to Zach Sieler, and the board lines up nicely for Miami to address this need.
Mason Graham was rumored to go 5th overall up until this week, but the top 5 may not be appropriate for a lineman with clear flaws that limit his upside. He’s got shorter arms by NFL standards, and didn’t reach the dominant athletic standards needed to be a top 5 pick as a DT. Nonetheless, he’s such a sound and pro-ready prospect that whoever drafts him will get immediate 3-down production, and arm length doesn’t take away his talent.
Other possible picks: Kelvin Banks Jr., Jahdae Barron, Grey Zabel
14: Indianapolis Colts - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
My favorite team, the Colts, have NOTHING at Tight End. Their TEs last year combined for 39 catches and less yards than now-journeyman Austin Hooper on the Patriots. Luckily for the Colts, Colston Loveland is a top 15 player in this class.
Michigan’s offense was disastrous in 2024, but Loveland played very well in 2023, and has a very strong profile as a fluid mover with great physical traits at just 21 years old. He’s a sound prospect at a position that doesn’t have very many of those, and a very high-upside pick for a Colts regime that constantly chases high-ceiling players.
Other possible picks: Tyler Warren, Grey Zabel, Trade down
15: Atlanta Falcons - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The Falcons have needed pass rushers for as long as I’ve been alive, and this year it looks like they’re finally going to take one in the first round. Walter Nolen has been rumored here a bunch, but it looks like he won’t even make it to them at 15.
Mike Green is considered by many to be the second-best Edge Rusher in the class, but off-field character concerns may push him down the draft. Given their history, I’m betting that Atlanta is willing to overlook the character issues and bet on an incredibly talented rusher who led the nation in sacks in 2024.
Other possible picks: Walter Nolen, Derrick Harmon, Shemar Stewart
16: Arizona Cardinals - Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Cardinals have a ton of needs (though not as bad as last year), but they love taking players in the trenches in round 1. Shemar Stewart will have some versatility along the Defensive Line at the NFL level, in part because he’s both a crazy athlete and a very raw prospect.
Shemar Stewart has a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 10.00 out of 10.00, and yet he has never eclipsed 1.5 sacks in any season across his college football career. Any team betting on Stewart is hoping that his insane athletic traits can make him a weapon in run defense right away and a potentially incredible pass rusher if he can develop those tools from scratch.
Other possible picks: Grey Zabel, Jahdae Barron, Derrick Harmon
17: Cincinnati Bengals - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Bengals defense was truly horrendous last season, and their biggest need is probably up the middle. Last season, the Bengals reportedly wanted Texas’s Byron Murphy II, but the Seahawks got him. This year, Harmon has a similar profile as Murphy did as a strong pass-rushing Defensive Tackle who always moves towards the opposing QB.
Harmon’s medicals may raise red flags, but the talent is undeniable (and I don’t know the medicals, so how can I judge). The Bengals could justifiably take any non-skill position player here given how poor their defense and Guard play were last year, but I’m betting that they address a need they’ve badly wanted for a while.
Other possible picks: Mike Green, Shemar Stewart, Grey Zabel
18: Seattle Seahawks - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Zabel has been a fast riser ever since an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl this winter. He’s got incredible agility for an offensive lineman, and despite playing Left Tackle in college, can project anywhere across the interior of the Offensive Line at the NFL level.
The Seahawks Offensive Line has been terrible for years now, maybe even decades. They badly need anyone, particularly on the interior, to protect Sam Darnold. Zabel’s agility fits Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak’s zone-heavy scheme well, and Darnold falls apart under pressure. If Seattle can land Zabel, which seems to be a legitimate question at this point, they should run the card in.
Other possible picks: Matthew Golden, Colston Loveland, Will Johnson
19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
I was really close to taking Alabama Linebacker Jihaad Campbell here, but I switched to Ezeiruaku for 2 reasons. First, Campbell has a shoulder injury that may scare teams off. Second, the Bucs badly need a pass rusher, and they love guys with Donovan Ezeiruaku’s profile.
Ezeiruaku is fast and technically sound, and has the burst that Tampa often looks for. The Buccaneers need to restock their defense, and Ezeiruaku is the type of player they dream about.
Other possible picks: Jihaad Campbell, Mike Green, Jahdae Barron
20: Denver Broncos - TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Given the state of their Running Back room, I expect Denver to take a back at some point in the first three rounds of the draft. The need might be dire enough for Head Coach Sean Payton to help out his offense and draft one of the most explosive rushers in this class.
Payton’s offenses with the Saints thrived on strong Running Back play, they love to use their backs in the passing game. TreVeyon Henderson is an explosive runner who adds a ton to any RB room on day 1, and has generated some buzz to go in round 1. He’s a great pass protector and receiving back, and is a threat to score on any play. Though he may never handle a full workload at the NFL level, he can be a Jahmyr Gibbs-type player, more than worth a round 1 pick.
Other possible picks: Omarion Hampton, Derrick Harmon, Emeka Egbuka
21: Pittsburgh Steelers - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
At this point, it looks like Sanders will be a Steeler or a Brown. I could see Pittsburgh passing on him, but the Steelers run their team unlike most others. The Steelers badly need a Quarterback, whether they can sign 41-year old Aaron Rodgers or not.
Sanders is athletically limited and takes tons of sacks, which is why he won’t go any higher than this. However, he’s a strong processor and has a decent path to being a solid NFL QB, provided that his offensive line holds up. Unlike any other passer in this class, Sanders can play right away, which is a nice bonus for a team that may desperately need him.
Other possible picks: Derrick Harmon, Matthew Golden, Emeka Egbuka
22: Los Angeles Chargers - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Michigan’s Kenneth Grant is a probable pick here, but I don’t think the Chargers can pass on Golden. Matthew Golden emerged as a first round pick in 2024, and he should be WR3 in this class. Golden’s much more physical than your average 5’11, 191lb receiver, and he ran an elite 4.29 second 40-yard dash at the combine.
This style of player would be perfect for the Chargers, as QB Justin Herbert can maximize his speed while he maintains the physicality that Head Coach Jim Harbaugh loves. This isn’t a popular pick, but it makes tons of sense for the Chargers at 22.
Other possible picks: Kenneth Grant, Colston Loveland, Will Johnson
23: Green Bay Packers - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Packers have a need at Cornerback even if longtime star Jaire Alexander is on the roster next season, but even that is a major question mark. I thought about Jahdae Barron for a while, but Maxwell Hairston’s rise makes sense given their reputation as a team that prioritizes athleticism over all else.
He ran a sub-4.3 40-yard dash, he’s young, and has ball production. Cheesehead TV put me onto Hairston as a pick for Green Bay, and even though it’s probably the highest he can go, I’m buying that Hairston can be taken on day 1.
Other possible picks: Jahdae Barron, Matthew Golden, Defensive Line
24: Minnesota Vikings - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Vikings are a popular trade-out spot given their lack of draft picks, and the possible race for Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart between the Giants, Browns, and Saints. However, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has made it clear that his valuation of draft pick slots are not the same as the rest of the league’s, so I’m not certain they’ll actually move back.
As for the pick itself, the Vikings added in the trenches in free agency at the expense of their secondary. They lost the celebrations king Cam Bynum to the Colts, and Harrison Smith isn’t getting any younger. My main curiosity here is if Minnesota is willing to take another Georgia Safety, as they whiffed on Lewis Cine 3 years ago in this same range. I’m willing to bet that Starks is leagues better than Cine, and that the league sees it the same way.
Other possible picks: Trade Back, Jahdae Barron, Nick Emmanwori
25: Houston Texans - Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Tyler Booker, though not super athletic by NFL standards, is a traditional mauling Left Guard prospect who simply cannot be moved in a phone booth. The Texans offensive line did about as good of a job fending off attackers as the Atreides did defending Arrakis in one of my favorite movies “Dune”, and in “taking out the trash” with this unit, they traded their all-pro Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil to Washington.
The Texans probably need two starters this draft on the line, and Booker fits that need. Alabama described him as “the Will Anderson of their offense,” and the Texans spent two first round picks on Will Anderson’s combination of strong play and leadership. If Booker makes it to Houston, I don’t think he makes it past them.
Other possible picks: Kelvin Banks Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Josh Conerly Jr.
26: Los Angeles Rams - Josh Conerly Jr, OT, Oregon
I wouldn’t be stunned if the Rams go with a QB or TE here, whether that be Jaxson Dart or Colston Loveland (they would need to move up for Loveland), just because Sean McVay likes to make a splash in the draft. However, I also think that Conerly is 100% their type of prospect who can sit behind Rob Havenstein for a year before he hits free agency and takes the reins at Right Tackle.
Dane Brugler, NFL Draft expert, described Conerly as a “bend-don’t-break” tackle, exactly the type of player that the Rams can get the best out of. LA addressed the trenches last year on defense Jared Verse, and I think they’ll do so on the offensive side this year.
Other possible picks: Colston Loveland, Donovan Jackson, Jaxson Dart
27: Baltimore Ravens - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
I haven’t seen this pairing often, usually because the best linebacker in this class (and in the last few) doesn’t usually fall to 27 in most mocks. However, I think the Ravens would pounce on this opportunity. The Ravens have so many draft picks that they can afford to take the best player available, and you can argue that linebacker is a need for them.
They benched Trenton Simpson last season, and Roquan Smith took a noticeable step back in his play this year. Provided that his shoulder injury isn’t a major concern, Campbell would be a home-run pick for the best drafting team in the league.
Other possible picks: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Tyler Booker, Will Johnson, literally nothing would surprise me.
28: Detroit Lions - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Lions don’t need a Defensive Tackle immediately, but they might soon. DJ Reader is about to turn 31, and Alim McNeill is coming off of a major injury. The Lions had so many injuries up front last season that there is no sufficient amount of depth that would satisfy GM Brad Holmes here.
At a hulking 6’4 and 330lbs, Kenneth Grant is an impressive Nose Tackle with some pass rushing upside. At times, he’s unmovable in the run game, and has shown enough flashes to be a potential 3-down player down the line. Just as a cherry on top, I’m sure Lions fans would love to add a Michigan Wolverine to their squad, just like they did with Aidan Hutchinson.
Other possible picks: Tyler Booker, Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart
29: Washington Commanders - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Despite making the NFC Championship game, the Commanders have tons of holes on their roster. Edge Rusher and Safety stand out, but the board didn’t fall the way they’d like with those two positions. Running Back, however, could be a big position of need for Washington, as both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler’s contracts expire after 2025.
Omarion Hampton is incredibly explosive and makes tons of sense here for Washington at 29. He has three-down upside, and defending a backfield with Hampton and Jayden Daniels would be such a daunting task for any defense. Hampton also doesn’t have too much mileage, meaning he may last longer in the league than some other Running Backs. GM Adam Peters knows from his time in San Francisco what a great runner can do for an offense, and I anticipate him to want to draft a RB early in this draft.
Other possible picks: Nic Scourton, Nick Emmanwori, TreVeyon Henderson
30: Buffalo Bills - Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Barron should go higher than this, but he’s perfect for the Bills. He was one of the best Cornerbacks in college football last year, and his athletic testing profile was much better than expected.
Some talent evaluators wonder if he’s athletic enough to hang on the outside in the NFL, but the Bills have experience with smaller Cornerbacks anyways. Even if he can’t hang at CB, he could project to be a very solid Safety, another position of need.
Other possible picks: Tre Amos, Shavon Revel, Kenneth Grant
31: Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Josh Simmons could have been the top Offensive Tackle in this year’s draft if not for an early-season leg injury that sidelined him for the whole season. The medical red flags are unfortunately not the only factor in his slide, as there are reports about character concerns with Simmons as well.
However, if there’s one team that takes risks in the draft, it’s the Chiefs. They desperately need an Offensive Tackle, and Simmons is the kind of high-upside prospect they seek out. They can wait for the postseason to play him, and Simmons has All-Pro upside.
Other possible picks: Josh Conerly Jr., Kenneth Grant, Emeka Egbuka.
32: Philadelphia Eagles - Mason Taylor, TE, Louisiana State
It looks like the Eagles are going to trade Dallas Goedert at some point this offseason, leaving a big hole at Tight End. They may trade out of this pick, knowing that they can get Mason Taylor later in the 30s, but he would be a great replacement for Goedert.
Mason Taylor comes from NFL bloodlines, and was an ultra-reliable pass catcher at LSU. He’s drawn a lot of comparisons to Eagles legend Zach Ertz, and Taylor’s prowess as a possession-first TE earns him that level of respect. The Eagles are so loaded that they can justify taking just about anyone here, but I have them getting ahead of what could be a massive need.
Other possible picks: Nic Scourton, Malaki Starks, Trade back
Some other notes:
I expect either the Giants or Saints to move into the back end of the first round for Jaxson Dart. I’d guess that it’s the Giants, with my only intel being that their GM’s son posted a Jaxson Dart highlight reel on Instagram.
Between picks 7, 10, 11, and 13, I expect some combination of Tyler Warren and three linemen. I just have no idea when each of those players will go. The Jets have had almost no leaks this year, so that’s where this draft could get wild.
I had Will Johnson at 13 or 16 for most of April, but it looks like teams are concerned about his injury and speed. I’m following the leaders of the industry in predicting him to fall to the second round, but nothing would surprise me with him at this point.