With the NFL Scouting Combine officially over and free agency looming, here’s my second attempt at exploring how the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft might end up. Many picks have been changed and different scenarios have been explored.
Check out my 2025 NFL Draft scouting reports to see what I thought of each prospect during film review. Feel free to contact me on Twitter @draftexaminer with any feedback or suggestions.
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2025 NFL Mock Draft (Round 1)
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB – Miami)
I had Travis Hunter here in my first mock draft, but that was based on the idea Hunter could play wide receiver for Tennessee. At the combine, Brian Callahan seemed to lean toward Hunter being a cornerback first, which is less of a need for the Titans.
In that case, maybe new general manager Mike Borgonzi would try to find Callahan a quarterback of the future. The team doesn’t seem so active in the quarterback market so far.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter (DE – Penn State)
With Myles Garrett having requested a trade, I’m sticking with Abdul Carter as the No. 2 overall pick. This seems like a perfect blend of need and value, especially with Cam Ward already off the board.
Carter’s recent foot injury doesn’t seem likely to have a significant impact on his draft stock and would provide Jim Schwartz with a bonafide pass-rusher. Even if Garrett isn’t traded, I would probably stick with this pick, since the team lacks a go-to second rusher.
3. New York Giants: Mason Graham (DL – Michigan)
The Giants don’t have a franchise passer, but given their current regime’s need to win now, they might prefer to go the veteran route there. Shedeur Sanders also doesn’t seem quite like a Brian Daboll type of quarterback to me, although I could be wrong.
This could easily be Travis Hunter, but the Giants ranked eighth against the pass and 27th against the run last year. They need more big bodies up front to complement Dexter Lawrence.
4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter (WR, CB – Colorado)
Consideration must be paid to an offensive lineman here, and Tetairoa McMillan is another contender for the pick. However, with Travis Hunter available on the board, and given the growing momentum behind Will Campbell shifting inside at the next level (which I don’t necessarily share), it’s hard to pass on one of the most unique prospects we’ve seen in some time. New England could use both a receiver and a second cornerback.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson (CB – Michigan)
Mason Graham would have been a nice pick here, but he’s not available, making this a difficult scenario for Jacksonville. Would Tetairoa McMillan overlap too much with Brian Thomas Jr. and possibly Gabe Davis?
If the Jaguars think so, maybe they’d be forced into a slight reach for Will Johnson, one of the more physically gifted corners in the class. The team ranked last in the league in pass defense last year, despite playing in a relatively weak passing division.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
Having traded for Geno Smith, and with it looking like he’s going to receive a big new contract as well, I don’t think Shedeur Sanders makes enough sense here.
The question could then become which weapon they want to add – a bell-cow back like Ashton Jeanty or a No. 1 receiver like Tetairoa McMillan. I feel like Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly might lean more toward Jeanty on a philosophical level, and the team doesn’t have a clear-cut lead back on the roster.
7. New York Jets: Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)
The Aaron Rodgers experiment is over, so with Shedeur Sanders on the board, this seems like a relatively straightforward pick, assuming the Jets like what they see from the young passer.
New offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand helped shape Detroit’s efficient passing attack last year. I could see Sanders fitting well on a team that attacked the middle of the field at a high rate, given his middling juice on outside throws.
8. Carolina Panthers: Shemar Stewart (DE – Texas A&M)
Carolina ranked at or near the bottom of the league in several areas, so there are a lot of needs on the team. I like the idea of adding to the defensive front, which is on the older side, especially after finishing last in the league defensively in points, yards and rushing yards.
The Panthers seem to like bigger-bodied guys in the front seven, so maybe Turner would make sense, given the amount of hype he was able to generate at the combine.
9. New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams (DE – Georgia)
Tetairoa McMillan is arguably the best player available and would make a nice complement to Chris Olave. However, the Saints also ranked near the bottom of the league in most defensive statistics (30th in yards, 27th in passing yards, 31st in rushing yards) and will probably need to blow up their defensive front due to age/salary cap issues. I’m not as high on Williams as some, but his physical profile might fit a little better than some of the other EDGE rushers available.
10. Chicago Bears: Jalon Walker (DE – Georgia)
Given that the Bears just traded for a pair of starting guards, they might be mostly set along the offensive line for now. In that case, I could imagine them finding Dennis Allen some more talent up front.
Jalon Walker’s versatility might be a good fit for Allen’s multiple schemes, which dial up pressure on money downs and rely on a relatively high rate of blitzing.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons (OL – Ohio State)
It would be pretty surprising if Josh Simmons was the first offensive lineman off the board, but I’m going to stick with this pick because I feel like he might be the best fit for the zone-blocking scheme the 49ers like to run.
Whether he’s ultimately a tackle or guard may not matter much, as Trent Williams is way up there in age and starting left guard Aaron Banks is set to hit free agency. Simmons could start as a Banks replacement and potentially kick outside.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT – Texas)
Despite Mazi Smith‘s rookie-year struggles, we can safely eliminate defensive tackle from consideration given Osa Odighizuwa‘s four-year, $80 million extension a few days ago.
Luther Burden or maybe Matthew Golden could work as a Brandin Cooks replacement, but since Nick Martin just retired, maybe they’d like to plug in an upgrade for him here. The top linemen could go in basically any order, but I like the idea of Kelvin Banks Jr. clearing lanes at right guard.
13. Miami Dolphins: Will Campbell (OL – LSU)
The run on linemen continues, and to reiterate, these guys could go in any order, as there seems to be a pretty strong element of personal preference/scheme fit here.
With the Dolphins’ top three guards, all set to hit free agency, and given their need to protect Tua Tagovailoa, Will Campbell could work well. I have him ranked as the best lineman in the class. He’s probably the best pass protector of the bunch as well.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State)
Last time around, I strongly considered Tyler Warren as the pick here, given the team’s lack of receiving production at the tight end spot. Shane Steichen’s offenses in Philadelphia had excellent tight end play, and getting a top talent like Warren could significantly improve the efficiency of the Colts’ passing attack, an element that was lacking last year. My pick from last time around, Will Johnson, is also long gone by this point, making things easier.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Malaki Starks (DB – Georgia)
If Atlanta likes any of the pass-rushers available, this could be a relatively straightforward pick, for the reasons I mentioned last time. Unfortunately for them, things are starting to thin out there a bit.
Depending on how character evaluations go, either Mike Green or James Pearce Jr. could make sense here, but I’m not sure I love the fits. Instead, they take advantage of this year’s depth on the line and add a local safety to replace free agent Justin Simmons.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen (DL – Mississippi)
The board didn’t fall Walter Nolen’s way last time, as I had him narrowly missing the first round. He could easily go this high, though, as Jonathan Gannon adds talent to his defensive front to recreate some of what he had to work with in Philadelphia.
Pairing Nolen with 2024 first-rounder Darius Robinson would give the Cardinals a couple of nice pieces to build around up front, where the team relied heavily on serviceable veterans last year.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Armand Membou (OL – Missouri)
Drafting Amarius Mims last year gave the Bengals one possible long-term piece on the line, but they need help on the interior to protect Joe Burrow. Membou could easily go much higher than this on draft day, so with him left, this was a relatively straightforward pick.
With Tee Higgins being tagged, it’s a bigger need than receiver for now. I like their defensive line depth, which could obviate the need to draft a Sam Hubbard replacement.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona)
Now that Tyler Lockett has been released and DK Metcalf has officially requested a trade, wide receiver becomes a much bigger need for Seattle. Fortunately, they have a great value on the board.
Tetairoa McMillan deserves to go higher than this, but many other receiver-needy teams already have a split end. McMillan’s smooth game isn’t identical to Metcalf’s, but he could replace Metcalf at that spot for the Seahawks, easing their transition away from Geno Smith.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell (LB – Alabama)
I like the idea of finding Tampa Bay an EDGE rusher, but they seem to prefer bigger-bodied options, while the top options available here are smaller. They could look at safety, and I like the idea of replacing Chris Godwin with Emeka Egbuka, but for now, let’s go with a linebacker.
Jihaad Campbell could play next to Lavonte David in Larry Foote’s odd front and offers additional value as a pass-rusher, so the team could play him on the edge at times.
20. Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)
There are a lot of nice picks available for the Broncos here, but I think they’d prefer to choose a weapon. Colston Loveland was almost the pick here, and this could go either way.
I like the idea of Sean Payton drawing from the same well that brought him Michael Thomas in New Orleans. Egbuka could offer the team the sort of versatile, high-volume slot option Thomas was and he would mesh well with Bo Nix‘s style of play.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III (WR – Missouri)
We don’t know who the Steelers will have at quarterback this coming season, but we do know whoever it is will need receiver help. Few receivers are as effective on traditionally low-percentage throws as George Pickens, but they could use someone who makes plays in the quick game as well.
For that reason, let’s go Burden here, with his dynamic run-after-catch skills offering something different from what the team currently has on the roster.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan)
Here’s another pick I am going to carry over from my last mock draft, as reuniting Colston Loveland with Jim Harbaugh seems to make too much sense.
The Chargers need more targets for Justin Herbert and Loveland may fit Harbaugh’s desired identity more closely than a wide receiver. The EDGE position is also a consideration, as Joey Bosa was recently released, and the future status of Khalil Mack is unclear. I expect dominant nose Poona Ford to return.
23. Green Bay Packers: Jahdae Barron (CB – Texas)
I gave some consideration to the offensive line candidates here, especially on the interior, but adding more defensive talent might be a good move. The Packers use a ton of rotation there, especially on the defensive front, so they might get more snaps out of a defensive back.
With Jaire Alexander looking unlikely to remain in Green Bay, maybe they could get a similar type of player in Jahdae Barron, even if he’s not as big as they usually like.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison (CB – Notre Dame)
The Vikings’ top two five-techniques are set to hit free agency, so that could become a need if either leaves. I also considered a safety here given Camryn Bynum‘s impending free-agent status and Harrison Smith‘s age.
Morrison going ahead of some of the more recently hyped cornerback prospects might come as a surprise, but I think he has the best skillset for a Brian Flores defense of the guys available, with criminally underrated man-coverage skills.
25. Houston Texans: Kenneth Grant (DL – Michigan)
Here’s another fit I continue to love. Last season, Houston started Tim Settle and Mario Edwards Jr. on the interior of their line, and while the team’s run defense was solid, I don’t think Nick Caserio would find it easy to pass on a big, thick, two-gap run stuffer.
Acquiring Christian Kirk for a token draft pick was a nice move that gives the Texans flexibility in the draft, although wide receiver could still be a consideration here.
26. Los Angels Rams: Matthew Golden (WR – Texas)
Working out the contract situations of Matthew Stafford and Alaric Jackson went a long way toward stabilizing the Rams’ offense in 2025, but they could still use a wide receiver to pair with Puka Nacua.
I still have Tyleik Williams very much in play here to help the team stuff the run, but Golden might be ranked higher on most boards at this point after a very impressive combine workout. Plus, the defensive line depth in this class is impressive.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Booker (OG – Alabama)
The last time around, I was surprised Tyler Booker made it this far down the draft board, yet here he is again. This seems like a classic Ravens pick: Letting someone fall down the board, and ending their slide with a best-player-available approach.
No team runs the ball as effectively as the Ravens. Seeing Derrick Henry, another Alabama alum, run behind Booker would be scary for opposing defenses. Left guard Patrick Mekari is also a free agent.
28. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton (DE – Texas A&M)
There are arguably higher-rated pass-rushers available here, but Nic Scourton’s size, power and hair-on-fire style of play would make him an excellent fit for the Lions’ culture.
Besides, some of the other top ends available have lighter builds, and there are rumored character issues involved there as well. After losing Aidan Hutchinson to injury last year, the Lions lacked a go-to pass-rusher, with no one else on the roster finishing with more than four sacks.
29. Washington Commanders: James Pearce Jr. (DE – Tennessee)
Landing Deebo Samuel makes it much more likely that this pick is on the defensive side of the ball, as does the decision to release Jonathan Allen. With Dante Fowler also set to hit free agency, EDGE is a prime position to address in the first round.
The Commanders’ roster was mostly built around bigger defenders, but I could imagine Dan Quinn wanting to put more of his own stamp on it. Any of the top guys could work as a “Leo”, but I like James Pearce Jr. best.
30. Buffalo Bills: Nick Emmanwori (DB – South Carolina)
I’m not in love with the wide receiver value here, so this looks like it’d probably be a defensive back. There are some solid values in the secondary, and although I probably lean toward cornerback as being the team’s bigger need, Nick Emmanwori seems like the best player available at this point. It wouldn’t be surprising if he went a dozen picks earlier. They need depth on the defensive line, but this is also a deep class up front.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Aireontae Ersery (OT – Minnesota)
This pick almost has to be a lineman of some sort, on either side of the ball. It might make more sense for the Chiefs to look for a veteran to play either left tackle or left guard, but until that happens, I continue to like Aireontoa Ersery as a pick here.
D.J. Humphries, who’s currently projected to start at left tackle, appeared in just two games last season, so Ersery’s more pro-ready game could be a good fit. In this scenario, Kingsley Suamataia would start at left guard.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Green (DE – Marshall)
If Mike Green’s background/character checks out, he could go 10 picks higher than this, but if he’s still available at this point, this seems like a logical pick. Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham are both free agents, and Howie Roseman is never done building in the trenches.
In this scenario, he’d rush opposite Nolan Smith. If Green’s past looks too shady to draft in the first round, Derrick Harmon could be another excellent value as a replacement for Milton Williams up front.
Also Considered (click on Player Name for full scouting report):
- Tre Harris III (WR – Ole Miss)
- Donovan Jackson (OG – Ohio State)
- Jonah Savaiinaea (OT – Arizona)
- Grey Zobel (OT – North Dakota State)
- Derrick Harmon (DL – Oregon)
- Tyeik Williams (DL – Ohio State)
- Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE – Boston College)
- J.T. Tuimoloau (DE – Ohio State)
- Trey Amos (CB – Mississippi)
- Maxwell Hairston (CB – Kentucky)
- Darien Porter (CB – Iowa State)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (CB – East Carolina)
- Azareye’h Thomas (CB – Florida State)
More 2025 NFL Mock Drafts
- Andrew Erickson: 2025 Mock Draft
- Pat Fitzmaurice: 2025 NFL Mock Draft
- Kurt Blakeway: 2025 NFL Mock Draft
- Russell Brown: 2025 NFL Mock Draft
- Matthew Jones: 2025 NFL Mock Draft
- Mike Fanelli: 2025 NFL Mock Draft With Trades (2.0, 3.0, 4.0)
- Richard Janvrin: 2025 NFL Mock Draft (2.0)
- Kent Weyrauch: 2025 NFL Mock Draft
- Seth Woolcock: 2025 NFL Mock Draft With Trades
- Jason Kamlowsky: 2025 NFL Mock Draft Two Rounds
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