The time has arrived: My 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 is officially here, and the excitement is through the roof in my first mock draft for the 2025 draft season, which also happens to be a post-combine mock draft.
As we dive deep into the pre-draft frenzy, I felt compelled to wait until after the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine as we see performances in Indianapolis influence players’ draft stock. The combine is notorious for sending prospects soaring or tumbling on draft boards, and we can anticipate a flurry of draft trades in its aftermath.
After being there in person, I can say unequivocally that Lucas Oil Stadium is confirmed as the epicenter of networking for the league’s top decision-makers and coaching staff. The madness is just getting started.
And although I personally didn’t come away with anything Earth-shattering, I am here to help you sort through the noise of combine week in the most actionable way possible. As I learned during last year’s draft, connecting the dots between player-team is more important than projecting actual draft position of the player.
Case in point, this class doesn’t have the same high-end talent at QB or other positions we have seen in years past so expect things to get wild on draft night.
But until then, sit back, enjoy and LFG!
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2025 NFL Mock Draft
Please note that this mock draft reflects my predictions of the draft outcomes rather than my personal choices for each team. I want to project what happens to take advantage of it in our fantasy football leagues and NFL Draft Betting Props.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB – Miami)
Miami’s Cam Ward is the betting favorite (-260 on DraftKings Sportsbook and growing every day) to be the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Whether that is the Tennessee Titans sticking and picking remains to be seen, as they are reportedly shopping calls for the No. 1 overall pick.
I still think Tennessee is figuring out whether Ward is worthy of the first overall pick and weighing that against potential suitors in a trade-down scenario.
They are exploring all their choices among the projected top-3 picks (along with Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter). I’d imagine they do not want to completely fall out of the top 5, as they would miss an opportunity to select Carter or Hunter as a result.
But as NFL insider Tony Pauline noted from his takeaways at the combine, the Titans like Ward. The former Miami QB has the upside that an organization led by an offensive-minded head coach can fall in love with (or wrongly convince themselves to select).
And if it’s not the Titans picking at 1, then the team that trades up will almost surely move up for a quarterback (as the trends usually are).
Abdul Carter NFL Draft Profile 
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter (EDGE – Penn State)
The Browns are also logical candidates to land Kirk Cousins as soon as his stalemate with the Atlanta Falcons reaches its conclusion (TBD). We know that they are going to add multiple QBs this offseason. Given the recent falloff with Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders (smoke or not) in the wake of the NFL combine, I am at least skeptical about him second overall. I think they view Ward in an entirely different tier and won’t settle with the second-overall pick just to take a QB based solely on need.
If they can’t trade back, it’s BPA. It will likely come down to Travis Hunter versus Abdul Carter. Offensive line prospects Will Campbell and Armand Membou might be dark horse candidates, given the Browns’ need for offensive line help. We will slot Carter in here for mock 1.0. His odds are -135 to be the No. 2 overall pick (Fanatics Sportsbook). However, I don’t hate the idea of dabbling in Travis Hunter at +500 (Bally Bet) to be the first non-QB selected, given the longer-shot odds in a very unpredictable market that reacts more to news than anything else.
Travis Hunter NFL Draft Profiles: CB & WR
3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter (WR/CB – Colorado)
The Giants have overtaken the Las Vegas Raiders with -the highest betting odds (-105) to make a trade-up for the No. 1 pick. Rumblings out of the combine have suggested that the Giants will NOT select Sanders at three, so they want to trade up to No. 1 overall to acquire Ward. It makes sense to me. Reports from Albert Breer suggest that New York will remain aggressive in the QB market.
More news trickled out on Tuesday from ESPN’s Jordan Raanan that multiple league sources left their meetings with the Giants this week thinking a trade for the No. 1 pick with the Tennessee Titans was likely.
If they move up, it’s for Ward. But if the Titans or Browns pick No. 1, they will take BPA between Hunter and Carter.
Armand Membou NFL Draft Profile
4. New England Patriots: Armand Membou (OT – Missouri)
My Mock 1.0 represents the next-to-worst-case scenario for the Patriots. With only one QB off the board, both Carter and Hunter are gone. Given the depth at EDGE in the class, I think the Patriots stay on the offensive side of the ball and take the highest-ranked OL on their board (with free agency falloff making this very subject to change).
The team hired Doug Marrone, the former head coach of the Jaguars and Bills, as the new offensive line coach.
I did a brief research look at Marrone’s archetype among offensive linemen, and the top guys have usually been of the long-armed variety. There’s a deeper dive into it on X by user @GimRari, but the TLDR version…if Marrone has input, he likely won’t be in favor of selecting a tackle with arms below 33 inches. That puts Campbell out, and 2025 NFL Combine Super Performer Armand Membou and his 33.5-inch arms as the selection at fourth overall.
Will Campbell NFL Draft Profile
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Campbell (OT – LSU)
New GM James Gladstone is stepping in after Trent Baalke’s four-year tenure as the Jacksonville Jaguars general manager. Some key takeaways from his press conferences are that the team seeks to prioritize the offensive and defensive fronts. That is in addition to prioritizing people and players who are intangibly rich (via the Big Country Cat).
Therefore, they take OT from LSU, Will Campbell. It’s the most anti-Baalke draft selection ever, given the former GM was notorious for only drafting trench players with extremely long arms. Gladstone flips the script and takes the LSU offensive lineman with sub-33 inch arms, who has been noted as an extremely high character prospect.
Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft Profile
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)
This is the fall spot for Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, even after the Las Vegas Raiders acquired former Seahawks QB Geno Smith with a third-round pick.
The major consensus out of Indianapolis seems to be that Sanders won’t go inside the top 5 as the media’s love for him is not accurate compared to NFL teams. However, the Browns were apparently very impressed by Sanders during their visit with the Colorado QB.
Early on in the process, it makes the most sense to me for Sanders to be a Raider. I mean after all, what current NFL head coach wants to select him knowing that the organization is going to feel the heat of hiring his dad to be his head coach? That is unless that head coach can be easily pushed out at entering his age 74 season…
Now back to the Smith deal in regards to the Raiders still drafting a rookie QB. The position becomes much less a need for the Raiders, but Smith will turn 35 years old this season. He’s a bridge QB (albeit a good one). It shouldn’t prevent them drafting any rookie QB. We saw just last season the Falcons sign Kirk Cousins in free agency, and then draft a quarterback inside the top-10.
Acquiring Geno Smith does not take the Raiders out of the running for a rookie QB. Recall the Browns took Baker Mayfield No. 1 overall shortly after trading a third-rounder for Tyrod Taylor.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 8, 2025
With Smith at the helm in 2025, the Raiders probably won’t be back selecting inside the top-6. If the Raiders think it’s best for Sanders (or any rookie QB for that matter) to sit behind Smith for his long-term development, I think they will execute as such.
And I can’t help feel like Smith might be the perfect mentor for Sanders. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah’s comp for Shedeur Sanders has been and still is Geno Smith.
7. New York Jets: Jaxson Dart (QB – Ole Miss)
Like it or not, Jaxon Dart will be a first-round pick. There are too many QB-needy teams. And when quarterbacks enter the Round 1 conversation, they go even higher based on the value and scarcity of the position. The Jets have many needs, but finding a future QB is priority No. 1.
Rick Spielman is the Jets’ senior football advisor, and he raved about Dart at the Senior Bowl. With the Ole Miss quarterback rising up draft boards after the NFL Combine, New York doesn’t risk missing out on a potential franchise quarterback.
Maybe Dart doesn’t end up to the Jets at 7 but as part of a trade-down (or trade-up back into Round 1).
Mason Graham NFL Draft Profile
8. Carolina Panthers: Mason Graham (DT – Michigan)
Panthers GM Dan Morgan has explicitly stated the team wants to attack the defensive line this offseason, similar to their approach to the offensive line last season. No better way to beef up the defensive line than by selecting Michigan’s Mason Graham.
Ashton Jeanty NFL Draft Profile
9. New Orleans Saints: Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
My first official bet made on the 2025 NFL Draft? Ashton Jeanty to be selected by the Saints at +3000. The odds have shifted dramatically since the Combine to +900 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
My rationale behind the pick? Well, the Saints had a formal meeting with the Boise State running back. New Saints head coach Kellen Moore’s alma mater is also Boise State. And if there’s anybody who knows about how valuable a running back can be for an offense, it’s Saquon Barkley‘s former offensive coordinator.
Also, keep in mind that Mickey Loomis is no stranger to drafting running backs in the first round (i.e., Reggie Bush and Mark Ingram).
Mykel Williams NFL Draft Profile
10. Chicago Bears: Mykel Williams (EDGE – Georgia)
With Ben Johnson taking over as the head coach in Chicago, I expect he will play a big role in the team’s first draft selection. As noted by NFL insider Tony Pauline, the offensive line makes the most sense, but a BPA shouldn’t surprise anyone. And the way that Chicago has already improved the OL before free agency further emphasizes BPA > need at the 10th overall pick.
This could still be another offensive line piece (Caleb Williams can use all the protection he needs), but I’ll go in a different direction across the defensive line with a pass rusher, Mykel Williams, from Georgia. He has met with the Bears and says he loves general manager Ryan Poles and defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett, per Zack Pearson.
Shemar Stewart NFL Draft Profile
11. San Francisco 49ers: Shemar Stewart (DT – Texas A&M)
According to Tony Pauline, the 49ers are very high on edge defender Oluwafemi Oladejo. The NFL insider also said he has been told the Niners will look at OL, CB, and WR during the FA period. Presuming they address these needs with veterans, I’d estimate they look for defensive linemen in the NFL Draft. Oladejo will likely be a second-round pick, but the interest supports my position on them targeting EDGE players with the 11th overall pick.
They select Texas A&M DL Shemar Stewart, fresh off a monster performance in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. He also owns a 49ers backpack.
Shemar Stewart is carrying a 49ers backpack.
Heard he’s off the board now for the Cowboys.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 28, 2025
Will Johnson NFL Draft Profile
12. Dallas Cowboys: Will Johnson (CB – Michigan)
Dallas was able to extend DT Osa Odighizuwa before the start of free agency, getting a jump start on improving the defensive interior. But cornerback Trevon Diggs is coming off another season-ending knee injury. Will Johnson missed games in 2024 with an injury, but he is still an elite cornerback prospect, with scouts comparing him to Patrick Surtain.
Kelvin Banks NFL Draft Profile
13. Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OL – Texas)
Kelvin Banks Jr. is one of the highest-ranked offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft, offering the versatility to play both tackle and guard at the next level. At 6’5″ and 215 pounds, Banks has the power and athleticism to thrive in Miami’s zone-blocking scheme, making him a strong candidate for the Dolphins, who are seeking reinforcements along the interior offensive line. His ability to play either tackle or kick inside to guard makes him an ideal fit for Miami, especially given their uncertainty at left guard and long-term depth needs at tackle. The Dolphins have already met with Banks, which isn’t surprising considering their offensive approach mirrors that of the San Francisco 49ers, another team that has shown interest in him. Both franchises value athletic, mobile linemen who can execute wide-zone blocking concepts effectively.
Colston Loveland NFL Draft Profile
14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan)
The Colts need to do everything in their power to get Anthony Richardson‘s completion percentage up in 2025. A young quarterback’s best friend? A reliable tight end. Enter Michigan’s Colston Loveland, who is listed at +200 on FanDuel Sportsbook to be the first tight end draft in this year’s draft. Pauline has reported that many teams feel that Loveland and not Tyler Warren is the top TE in the draft. I think the Colts will agree.
Colston Loveland is very much in play for the #Colts if Tyler Warren is off the board at pick #14 pic.twitter.com/yUz9VxRipY
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) February 26, 2025
Jalon Walker NFL Draft Profile
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker (EDGE – Georgia)
Death, taxes, and the Falcons’ lack of pass rush. Luckily, it’s a great year to draft edge rushers. Don’t blow this, Atlanta.
Kenneth Grant NFL Draft Profile
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant (DT – Michigan)
Similar to their fellow red birds picking 15th overall, the Cardinals also have an overt need for a pass rush. They boasted the second-worst PFF pass rush grade in 2024. They add an interior disruptor in Kenneth Grant.
Walter Nolen NFL Draft Profile
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolen (DT – Ole Miss)
Let’s do what we can to improve the Bengals’ defense after they were repeatedly gashed in 2024. Ole Miss’s Walter Nolen provides the plug on the interior for Cincy’s defense.
Jihaad Campbell NFL Draft Profile
18. Seattle Seahawks: Jihaad Campbell (LB – Alabama)
We saw last season the positive impact that linebacker Ernest Jones had on Seahawks’ defense. But he’s a free agent and is coming off a reported knee surgery. Seattle needs a dynamic playmaker at linebacker. In this draft class, that guy is Jihaad Campbell. He is the epitome of speed at the linebacker position, something GM John Schneider has spoken about this offseason. “We’ve got to get speed on defense.” The Crimson Tide linebacker was a massive winner during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and is expected to be drafted inside the top 20 picks.
James Pearce Jr. NFL Draft Profile
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr. (EDGE – Tennessee)
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what the Buccaneers need the most. Defense. Whether it’s an edge rusher, cornerback, or an off-ball linebacker, the “need” is clear. Todd Bowles bolsters his pass rush with Tennessee edge defender James Pearce Jr.
Tyler Warren NFL Draft Profile
20. Denver Broncos: Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State)
Sean Payton wants to find his joker on offense. A tight end or wide receiver who is a mismatch nightmare. Tyler Warren, welcome to Broncos Country. The Penn State tight end won the John Mackey Award in 2024 as the nation’s top tight end – and the first ever in Penn State history.
Tetairoa McMillan NFL Draft Profile
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona)
The Steelers tend to be one of the more obvious teams to mock players, too, as they tend to be an open book when it comes to their top player targets. They haven’t been connected to many QBs, suggesting that Justin Fields might open as the Week 1 starter (assuming he is signed during free agency). Sources in Indianapolis have stated the Steelers will look at the trenches with the 21st pick. That being said, they are also looking to add more WRs, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live, in addition to the defensive line in the draft. In future mocks, I’ll likely be selecting a defensive lineman at this selection, but Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan has fallen too far (whoops). He’s probably long gone by the 21st pick, but I’m curious to see if he goes as high as top-5 as I’ve seen other mocks project him without any athletic testing.
I compared McMillan to Courtland Sutton in my Top Dynasty Rookie Wide Receivers article. The Steelers have shown previous interest in Sutton.
Tyler Booker NFL Draft Profile
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Tyler Booker (IOL – Alabama)
Starting center Bradley Bozeman is going to be a free agent. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper lays out the case for the Chargers to bolster their interior offensive line given the identity of the head coach and offensive playcaller. Also, there’s a clear upgrade opportunity at right guard between incumbents Trey Pipkins and Jamaree Salyer. Even after the release of pass rusher Joey Bosa, the offensive line still seems the most logical direction that Joe Hortiz and company head in with the 22nd pick. Alabama’s OG Tyler Booker is expected to be a top 20 draft selection.
Jahdae Barron NFL Draft Profile
23. Green Bay Packers: Jahdae Barron (CB – Texas)
Cornerback Jaire Alexander‘s time with the Packers has all but reached its conclusion. And with multiple depth CBs on expiring contracts (Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, Robert Rochell), the secondary lacks reliable depth. Green Bay knows they can still get a strong pass rusher on Day 2, so they opt for a top-tier cornerback with the 23rd pick. Jahdae Brown was PFF’s second-highest-graded CB in 2024, generating a 34.2 passer rating when targeted in coverage. 23rd overall might be too low for the Jim Thorpe Award recipient from this past college football season.
Maxwell Hairston NFL Draft Profile
24. Minnesota Vikings: Maxwell Hairston (CB – Kentucky)
The Vikings desperately need cornerback depth, given Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, and Shaquill Griffin are all entering free agency. Maxwell Hairston has been on an atomic rise in the mock draft community after blazing a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. With a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and sub-4.3 wheels, nobody will be surprised if he is a Round 1 selection.
25. Houston Texans: Grey Zabel (IOL – North Dakota State)
Everybody knows that the Houston Texans need to improve the offensive line. After trading for WR Christian Kirk before the start of free agency, H-Town can shift their draft focus on versatile protectors for C.J. Stroud. Grey Zabel has been a steady pre-draft riser stemming from a strong Senior Bowl outing. Zabel will be a late first-round pick.
Emeka Egbuka NFL Draft Profile
26. Los Angeles Rams: Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)
Sean McVay gets his Cooper Kupp replacement in the form of Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka. RIP the Jordan Whittington shares.
Josh Simmons NFL Draft Profile
27. Baltimore Ravens: Josh Simmons (OT – Ohio State)
It’s very possible that the Ravens will lose offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley during free agency to a higher bidder. Baltimore addresses the hole by selecting Ohio State’s Josh Simmons, who was highly regarded as the top offensive tackle in this year’s draft before a season-ending knee injury. Nobody buys the dip on players better than the Ravens, and they acquire another potential steal with the Buckeyes offensive tackle.
Donovan Ezeiruaku NFL Draft Profile
28. Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE – Boston College)
The defense let the Lions down in the back half of 2024. Losing Aidan Hutchinson was a major blow, and Detroit can’t afford to enter this season without more pass-rush answers. A defensive tackle would also suffice given how poor they were in-between the tackles defensively.
This class has a ton of great defensive line prospects, so it’s a great problem to have for Detroit. But what stood out to me regarding Donovan Ezeiruaku is his attitude. According to Jeff Risdon of the Lions Wire, the Boston College edge rusher said “I want to destruct a QB” during his Combine interview. I think Dan Campbell might like this guy.
Catching up with Donovan Ezeiruaku's Combine interview. He's absolutely cut from the Lions' cloth:
"I want to destruct a QB"
Loads of detailed answers about film study and breaking down opposing blockers to attack them differently with his pass rush package— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) February 26, 2025
Derrick Harmon NFL Draft Profile
29. Washington Commanders: Derrick Harmon (DT – Oregon)
It’s a testament to Jayden Daniels that he was able to carry this team to the NFC Title game with such a bad defense. DT Jonathan Allen is expected to be released, further emphasizing the defensive trenches in the nation’s capital. Former 49ers executive and current Commanders GM Adam Peters is no stranger to investing in the defensive line with first-round draft picks; I think he will follow suit in 2025 with Oregon’s Derrick Harmon.
Loved watching #Oregon iDL Derrick Harmon on tape. Led the FBS in interior pressures among DTs and finished second in pressure rate last season. Still needs to do a better job of playing under control and finishing plays.pic.twitter.com/E6Xrb3dYFL
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 21, 2025
Matthew Golden NFL Draft Profile
30. Buffalo Bills: Matthew Golden (WR – Texas)
Buffalo’s top two needs are EDGE and WR. But Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden‘s 4.29 speed is too good to pass on with the 30th overall pick. Josh Allen gets another WR weapon that can hopefully put this team over the hump in 2025.
Josh Conerly Jr. NFL Draft Profile
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr. (OT – Oregon)
Let’s get more protection for Patrick Mahomes upfront. They desperately need a left tackle. And the draft might be their only option if they miss out on the Ronnie Stanley sweepstakes. Josh Conerly Jr. met with the Chiefs at the combine, citing Patrick Mahomes as the “baby GOAT,” via Arrowhead Pride.com. According to PFF, Conerly only gave up one sack and two QB hits last season as the Ducks left tackle.
Malaki Starks NFL Draft Profile
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Malaki Starks (S – Georgia)
What do the Eagles do better than anybody else? Just draft the highest-ranked guys on Daniel Jeremiah’s top-50 board and get showered in praise. Coming in at No. 25, safety Malaki Starks. Another Georgia defender ends up in Philly. Howie Roseman gets away with it again!
More 2025 NFL Mock Drafts
- 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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