The day this mock draft is officially released there will only be 1 day left until the Tennessee Titans have 10 minutes to select the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. In a time period where smoke screens and tricks dominate the NFL rumor mill and landscape, Here are my official predictions for the first 32 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.
#1 Tennessee Titans-Cam Ward QB Miami
The Tennessee Titans select Miami’s Cam Ward with the top selection in hopes for Ward to be their brand new franchise QB. After the disaster of the Will Levis era in Tennessee, Tennessee looks to grab a pocket passer who can run, be creative off script and deliver accurate strikes to all 3 levels of the field. This pick will hopefully be the beginning of a new successful era of Titan football.
#2 Cleveland Browns-Travis Hunter WR/CB Colorado
Cleveland is not only one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to their QB play but when it comes to their overall roster as well. The Browns offense is heavily relied on by 2024 breakout star Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku. Cleveland selects Hunter who not only has the potential to be a superstar NFL receiver, but also to get some snaps at CB too to pair with Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr.
#3 New York Giants-Abdul Carter EDGE Penn State
The Giants much like the Browns struggled in 2024 due to poor QB play. They signed reliable veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to hold down the spot for 2025 but the G-Men have no long term solution at the position. While there will be chatter about Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, New York selects Carter to pair alongside Dexter Lawrence II and Brian Burns to create a fearsome pass rush.
#4 Chicago Bears(Via NE)-Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State
Trade details: Chicago trades #10,#39 & #233 to New England for #4
Yes I know, that is a impressive package to put together for a back but to move ahead of the Raiders the Bears must. The Bears are flush with draft capital and make a big push to select the draft’s most dynamic running back in Jeanty to complete their offensive overhaul.
#5 Jacksonville Jaguars-Mason Graham DT Michigan
Despite multiple rumors of potentially moving down or selecting a offensive lineman, Jacksonville elects to select the best interior defensive lineman in the class. Great defensive tackles are all too valuable in the NFL and new Jaguars GM James Gladstone was able to witness that in LA with Aaron Donald, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske. Graham’s mix of power speed and great technique makes him a plug and play impact starter from day one in Jacksonville.
#6 Las Vegas Raiders-Armand Membou OT Missouri
The Raiders could desperately stand for an offensive weapon here but opt to go with Membou to protect new QB Geno Smith who struggled with pressure in Seattle. Membou is athletic and versatile while putting together good tape in the SEC which has had him rise up many draft boards and make him the Raiders selection here to build a solid offensive foundation.
#7 New York Jets-Tyler Warren TE Penn State
Another Penn State player off the board here as the Jets select the dynamic tight end. Warren did everything for the Penn State offense in 2024 and his versatility, route running, burst after the catch and blocking ability gives Justin Fields another reliable option not named Garrett Wilson.
#8 Pittsburgh Steelers(Via CAR)-Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado
Trade details: Pittsburgh trades #21 & a 2026 1st round pick to Carolina for #8
The Steelers make a aggressive move to move ahead of the New Orleans Saints and select Shedeur Sanders. Sanders while cocky has the arm strength, football IQ and scramble ability to succeed in the NFL. With Aaron Rodgers looking less likely as a option for Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Selects their QB for 2025 and the future in Sanders who will have the opportunity to throw to DK Metcalf and George Pickens.
#9 New Orleans Saints-Will Campbell OT LSU
After missing out on Shedeur Sanders due to the Steelers moving up, New Orleans selects the best player available who also fills a need for them in Campbell. Due to his arm length concerns I have Campbell sliding inside to guard in the NFL which will work fine for New Orleans since they drafted Taliese Fuaga in the first round last year.
#10 New England Patriots (Via CHI)-Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona
After moving down and picking up more draft capital New England selects a true X receiver for 2024 #3 overall pick Drake Maye in McMillan. The 6’4 McMillan immediately becomes the big bodied threat the Patriots offense has been searching for to pair with recently signed free agent WR Stefon Diggs, Demario Douglas and Hunter Henry to give Drake Maye a solid core of pass catchers.
#11 San Francisco 49ers-Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss
The 49ers are truly one of the teams that need to nail this draft in order to contend in 2025. The 49ers take a swing on the potential of Nolen here who won primarily in college with only his raw power and ability. Being coached up by Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh, Nolen has star potential the 49ers hope to harness to boost their pass rush and run defense.
#12 Dallas Cowboys-Matthew Golden WR Texas
In 2024 the Cowboys had a issue when it came to other people catching the ball outside of star WR Ceedee Lamb. Matthew Golden offers superb route running and 4.29 speed to add a great complementary option in the Cowboys offense and make life easier on QB Dak Prescott.
#13 Miami Dolphins-Will Johnson CB Michigan
The Dolphins are currently in the process of trading Jalen Ramsey away and do not have a lot of great options behind him either. Corner is a desperate need for Miami and due to a injury, A great prospect in Will Johnson falls to them to give Miami their new CB1.
#14 Indianapolis Colts-Colston Loveland TE Michigan
With Tyler Warren off the board, The Colts instead choose to select Loveland who is as good as a vertical threat as Warren as a receiver but not quite the YAC and blocking ability. Indianapolis does gain another weapon for Anthony Richardson as they go all in to try to help their 3rd year QB.
#15 Atlanta Falcons-Mike Green EDGE Marshall
The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the worst teams for the last few seasons when it comes to pressuring the opposite CB putting a lot of pressure on a weaker secondary and losing DT Grady Jarrett this spring does not help. Despite adding Leonard Floyd who had 8.5 sacks in 2024, The Falcons select the pass rusher who may have the highest ceiling by a pass rusher not named Abdul Carter in this class.
#16 Arizona Cardinals-Jalon Walker EDGE Georgia
The Cardinals need defensive help and despite Jalon Walker being not quite a full time LB or full time EDGE, Arizona selects Walker as a project to be a major chess piece in Jonathan Gannon’s defense and end Walker’s slip.
#17 Cincinnati Bengals-Shemar Stewart EDGE Texas A&M
The Bengals need EDGE help with the trade rumors involving Trey Hendrickson and the retirement of Sam Hubbard. 2023 1st round pick Myles Murphy has been a letdown through 2 seasons in Cincy so the Bengals grab Stewart to bank on his star potential and to be a huge force in helping them get after the quarterback.
#18 Green Bay Packers(Via SEA)-Mykel Williams EDGE Georgia
Trade details: Green Bay trades #23 & #87 to Seattle for #18 and #175
The hosts make an aggressive move up the board in front of the chargers and buccaneers to get their guy. Despite moving back 88 picks in the middle of the draft Green Bay gets their guy in Williams who was in the preseason talks of being the first overall pick. The Packers were unable to stop good rushing attacks in 2024 and need Williams to not only shore up their attack but to develop into an elite pass rusher. The Packers take a swing on a developmental pick that could pay off.
#19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Malaki Starks S Georgia
Another Bulldog off the board as Tampa Bay selects Starks to shore up their secondary. The Bucs need another presence in the safety room as Stark’s versatility, coverage ability and IQ provide a steady presence to the Buccaneers secondary that will be evident from day one.
#20 Denver Broncos-Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina
After their resurgent 2024 campaign led by rookie QB Bo Nix Denver searches for a dynamic running back to add another element to their offensive attack. They lost Javonte Williams in free agency to the Cowboys after a season in which Williams a long with Denver’s other running backs struggled. Hampton is a day one starter and potential 1000 yard rusher as a rookie.
#21 Carolina Panthers(Via PIT)-Jahdae Barron CB Texas
The Panthers move down 13 spots and pick a player that could have been in consideration at #8 overall in Barron. Barron won the Jim Thorpe award(Best defensive back in CFB) at Texas in 2024 and played a key role in the Longhorns CFP run. Barron projects to move to nickel or even safety in the pros which will work for Carolina considering they need help at both spots. This night goes down as a success for Carolina as they also add Pittsburgh’s 2026 first.
#22 Los Angeles Chargers-Kenneth Grant DT Michigan
Another Michigan defensive tackle in the 1st round as Grant goes back to former HC Jim Harbaugh. The 6’3 340 pound Grant will provide a immediate spark in the heart of the Chargers defense as a big upgrade at DT as a run defender and pass rusher for the Chargers.
#23 Seattle Seahawks(Via GB)-Grey Zabel OL North Dakota State
Seattle trades down and adds another day 2 selection to give them 5 on the 2nd day and still adds Zabel who could have been the player Seattle selected originally at 8. Zabel could slide into any offensive line position and be a immediate plug and play starter for a offensive line unit that badly needs it.
#24 New York Giants(Via MIN)-Jaxson Dart QB Ole Miss
Trade details: New York trades #34, #65 & #154 to Minnesota for #24 & #97
The Giants make an aggressive push to the bottom section of the first round ahead of the Rams to select Dart. Jaxson Dart has been rising up boards since Ole Miss defeated Duke 52-20 in the Gator Bowl in January. Dart now gets to sit behind veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston while being coached by QB guru Brian Daboll as he adjusts to the NFL.
#25 Houston Texans-Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State
Despite Houston’s needs on the offensive line they decide to add a familiar face to the receiving room for CJ Stroud in Egbuka having played together in 2021 at Ohio State. Egbuka’s route running, IQ and hands make him a welcome addition to a Houston receiving room in question after Tank Dell’s injury at the end of the 2024 season that could cause him to miss all of 2025.
#26 Los Angeles Rams-Jihaad Campbell LB Alabama
Despite the Rams lack of a second round pick they decide to stick and pick here as Campbell is still around. Despite a promising rookie season from Omar Speights, The Rams still need a MIKE LB and they find that in Campbell who is Uber athletic and has the IQ to be a day one green dot.
#27 Baltimore Ravens-Tyler Booker OG Alabama
Another crimson tide down as the Ravens select the best pure guard in the whole draft. Booker slips here during the draft because of a poor combine and despite his excellence as a pass protector his lack of ability to move especially in a zone scheme. The Ravens tend to run more of a maul and open up lanes scheme for Derrick Henry while Booker can also protect Lamar Jackson and make All-Pro and pro bowl teams for years.
#28 Detroit Lions-James Pearce Jr EDGE Tennessee
Detroit makes a swing to add a great #2 pass rusher opposite Aiden Hutchinson in Pearce who was also projected to potentially go 1st overall in the summer. Pearce slips this far due to a underwhelming junior season and potential character concerns but could be molded better by the culture of Dan Campbell and the Lions.
#29 New England Patriots(Via WAS)-Josh Simmons OT Ohio State
Trade details: New England trades #38 & #77 to Washington for #29 & #128
New England makes an aggressive move up the board after securing a franchise X receiver to select a Franchise LT in Simmons. Josh Simmons could have easily been a top 10 selection before his injury this past season at Ohio State but if the medicals come back well he is a top 10 talent who the Patriots take a chance on to help their QB.
#30 Buffalo Bills-Donovan Ezeirauku EDGE Boston College
Buffalo selects Ezeirauku here to shore up their pass rush alongside Ed Oliver and Greg Rosseau. Ezeirauku rose up draft boards thanks to a monster 2024 season in which he won ACC DPOTY and looks to be a immediate impact in the NFL.
#31 Kansas City Chiefs-Derrick Harmon DT Oregon
The Chiefs select Harmon to chase the QB alongside Chris Jones to give opposing offensive lines big challenges to guard one of these Defensive Tackles one on one.
#32 Philadelphia Eagles-Nick Emmanwori S South Carolina
Emmanwori is selected here to give the Eagles another developmental pick in the secondary after trading CJ Gardner Johnson to the Texans. Emmanwori’s blend of size and speed make him a fun pick for the defending champs.
