2025 NFL Mock Draft: Final prediction for the 32 picks
Here is a final prediction of how the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft will go (without trades). Previously, I mocked the first round how I think it should go.
1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami- This feels like the one sure thing of the entire draft at this point. The Titans have rejected calls by teams trying to trade up to one. They know Cam Ward has franchise quarterback upside and will take that bet.
2) Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, Cornerback/Wide Receiver, Colorado- A trade back is possible here, but regardless of who picks at two, it will be Travis Hunter. For the Browns, Travis Hunter gives them an excellent defensive prospect who could contribute on offense and, most importantly, get the fans excited about something.
3) New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge Defender, Penn State- The Giants could take a swing at quarterback here or trade back, but the prospect of passing over a blue chip defensive linemen feelsā¦ unwise. Abdul Carter would instantly turn a promising young defense into a top ten unit this year.
4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell, Offensive Tackle- The Pats go with a safe, boring pick. Will Campbell would instantly upgrade their offensive line, at guard or tackle.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona- After weeks of thinking Jacksonville goes defense here, it feels like Liam Coen makes a splash on the offensive side of the ball. Having Mike Evans was a boon to Coen and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay. Now he gets Trevor Lawrence a big bodied receiver to pair with Brian Thomas Junior in what should be an exciting passing game.
6) Las Vegas Raiders: Armand Membou, Offensive Tackle- The Ashton Jeanty hype is here, but the Raiders are also reportedly interested in beefing up their offensive line. With Kolton Miller potentially holding out for more money, Vegas bets on the highest upside tackle in the draft.
7) New York Jets: Tyler Warren, Tight End, Penn State- This would be a fun pick by the Jets. Get that passing game some more weapons to take the pressure off of Justin Fields (and Garrett Wilson). Warren might quite be a Brock Bowers level prospect, but he would have a huge day one impact in New York.
8) Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, Edge Defender/Linebacker, Georgia- This feels like a lock. The Panthers defense needs a lot of juice and Jalon Walker is all juice, wherever he lines up.
9) New Orleans Saints: Walter Nolen, Defensive Lineman, Ole Miss- After rumors that Walter Nolen ends up in the top 10, this feels like a great landing place for him. New Orleans needs talent everywhere and here theyāre betting on Nolenās upside to hold down the interior of their defensive line for the next decade.
10) Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State- Not only do I think this happens, but I think we all want this to happen.
11) San Francisco 49ers: Mason Graham, Defensive Lineman, Michigan- The Niners capitalize on Grahamās slight fall in the draft. Graham might not have the upside of Walter Nolen, but he is a better prospect on day one of his NFL career. The Niners need to revitalize their once ferocious defensive line.
12) Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas- The Cowboys need weapons around Dak in 2025 and someone to take pressure off of CeeDee Lamb in the passing game. Matthew Golden can stretch the field and create a ton of space for Lamb in the slot.
13) Miami Dolphins: Jahdae Barron, Cornerback, Texas- It would be really, really surprising if Miami didnāt address the cornerback position on day one of the draft. Jahdae Barron adds athleticism and playmaking ability to a young secondary.
14) Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan- The Colts need to spend real resources at Tight End to give their passing game a viable outlet in the middle of the field. Whoever is quarterback will love passing to Colston Loveland for the next few years.
15) Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, Edge Defender, Marshall- The Falcons are in need of real help on the edges of their defense. Assuming Mike Green passed off-field checks, the Falcons will make him the pick here.
16) Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan- The Cardinals are a trade up candidate, but staying put lands them with one of the best defensive backs in the class.
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Kelvin Banks Junior, Offensive Lineman, Texas- Maybe not a sexy pick, but it would be a smart one. This keep Joe Burrow safe and upright for the next decade, at guard or tackle.
18) Seattle Seahawks: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge Defender, Boston College- Huge pass rushing boost for the Seahawks on a defense that needs it.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama- I would be shocked if its anything else. Jihaad Campbell in a Todd Bowles defense, learning from Lavonte David feels perfect.
20) Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, Running Back, North Carolina- The Broncos seem happy to stay put and let whomever fall to them in the first round. They get lucky here and land a franchise running back who can add a whole new dimension to an exciting young offense.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Colorado- Itās possible there are other quarterback picks in the first round of this draft after Cam Ward. Especially if teams trade back into the late picks of the first round. In the current order, here is the only pick that makes a lot of sense. Shedeur Sanders has the tools, physical and mental, to be an NFL quarterback. In Pittsburgh heād have the luxury of a stable coaching situation and the likelihood of sitting for his rookie year.
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State- Justin Herbert gets another weapon to pair with Ladd McConkey. Egbuka would be brilliant in Jim Harbaughās offense.
23) Green Bay Packers: Shemar Stewart, Edge Defender, Texas A&M- This feels like a Packers pick. Unless a team wants to bet much higher on Stewart, he fits well into Green Bayās defensive philosophy of developing high level athletes.
24) Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia- Malaki Starks could bring so much versatility and leadership to a really fun Minnesota defense.
25) Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State- Texans get a steal here with Josh Simmons, who will keep CJ Stroud protected for the next decade.
26) Los Angeles Rams: Josh Conerly Junior, Offensive Tackle- The Rams have been rumored to be interested in moving up for a tight end this year. If they stay put, beefing up their offensive line makes the most sense.
27) Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Junior, Edge Defender, Tennessee- The Ravens love taking premium athletic talent from top programs. This coaching staff would maximize James Pearceās many gifts while hopefully being the right place for him to adjust to the NFL.
28) Detroit Lions: Mykel Williams, Edge Defender, Georgia- Iād love this fit. Williams is a tough, high motor player that Dan Campbell would love in his defense.
29) Washington Commanders: Maxwell Hairston, Cornerback, Kentucky- After spending a ton of resources adding talent to their offense this spring, now the Commanders can turn their attention to the defense. Maxwell Hairston is the long, athletic, physical cornerback that Dan Quinn tends to love.
30) Buffalo Bills: Nic Scourton, Edge Defender, Texas A&M- The Bills add some pass rushing talent with one of the youngest prospects in the class.
31) Kansas City: Grey Zabel, Offensive Lineman, North Dakota State- Andy Reid loves a first round offensive or defensive lineman. Grey Zabel feels like such an Andy Reid pick who can thrive at guard for the Chiefs.
32) Philadelphia Eagles (Super Bowl Champions): Derrick Harmon, Defensive Tackle, Oregon- The Eagles have drafted āmy guyā in the first round every draft since the 2021 class. I should state I do not think the Eagles stay put at 32 this year. They will either move up for a premium talent or move back to accrue picks and take advantage of a class that has a lot of value in the middle. That all being said, I really love Derrick Harmon and his fit in Philly. He is a wildly talented player who brings size, athleticism, versatility, and upside to their defensive line. After losing Milton Williams, Harmon feels like a great player to come in and take up a heavy snap load. Watch them trade up for Jalon Walker.
