With the NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror, it’s time for another mock draft ahead of NFL free agency. Below is my mock draft without trades.
Next month, I’ll have trades in my next mock draft once we receive answers to many looming questions, especially regarding the quarterback position.
- 2025 NFL Draft Guide
- 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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- Dynasty Mock Draft Simulator
2025 NFL Mock Draft (Round 1)
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB – Miami)
There’s a discussion about the Titans going with Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter. I wouldn’t fault them for that, but unless they add a veteran quarterback in free agency, I can’t imagine them going into next season with Will Levis again.
2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)
I used to believe the Browns should build the team up before getting their next quarterback, but with the talent on the roster and the team retaining Myles Garrett, they need to bring someone in who’s competent under center.
If Cam Ward is here, they’ll go with him, but I’m starting to believe the Browns will take a quarterback.
I’ll likely have a better understanding of this after free agency and as we approach the draft.
3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter (WR/CB – Colorado)
I sense the Giants will bring in Aaron Rodgers to play quarterback and draft someone like Jaxson Dart later.
For now, I’ll go with Travis Hunter here. He offers another offensive weapon for Rodgers and, if he plays cornerback, will likely be an upgrade over Deonte Banks and Cor’Dale Flott.
4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter (EDGE – Penn State)
Abdul Carter has fallen in this scenario, which seems unfathomable, but the Patriots manage to get a franchise generational-type talent on the defensive side of the ball.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham (DL – Michigan)
If Trent Baalke was still the general manager, I would’ve gone elsewhere after Mason Graham came in with 32-inch arms at the NFL Scouting Combine (12th percentile).
That said, despite the arm length and coming in much lighter than was reported at Michigan, Graham is a disruptive force on the inside.
I could be talked out of this one, but I’ll stick with Graham for now.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
The Raiders acquired quarterback Geno Smith. Here they get a franchise running back to help even things out for them offensively under head coach Pete Carroll.
7. New York Jets: Armand Membou (OT – Missouri)
With Aaron Glenn coming to the team, I expect him to establish a culture similar to that of Detroit.
Armand Membou is 332 pounds, ran a 4.91 40-yard dash and has incredibly long arms.
He’ll be tough to combat in the trenches.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jahdae Barron (CB – Texas)
Jahdae Barron ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and can play multiple positions in the secondary, including outside corner. The Panthers desperately need an answer at cornerback.
9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State)
The Saints have wide receiver Chris Olave, but they need more answers on offense. Additionally, Tyler Warren will be the Saints’ franchise player as they bring in Kellen Moore as head coach.
10. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT – Texas)
The Bears brought in Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, so now they need a tackle. Between Kelvin Banks Jr. and Will Campbell, I think Banks is more likely to play tackle.
If the Bears think Campbell can, I’d go with him.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Will Campbell (OL – LSU)
The 49ers could use an upgrade at left guard over Aaron Banks, and Will Campbell will be an immediate Pro Bowl candidate at that spot.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona)
It’s hard to believe, but Tetairoa McMillan fell to pick 12 in this scenario. The Cowboys get an incredible player to line up across CeeDee Lamb.
13. Miami Dolphins: Josh Simmons (OT – Ohio State)
The Dolphins desperately need some offensive line talent. Josh Simmons is recovering from a bad knee injury, but there’s a chance he may have a personal Pro Day.
Pick No. 13 might be too early given the injury concern, but if I’m the Dolphins, I roll the dice on the talent Simmons possesses.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Mike Green (EDGE – Marshall)
The Colts had just 36 sacks last season (sixth-fewest). Mike Green will bring plenty of strength and power off the bench.
He had 28 reps on the bench press.
15. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr. (EDGE – Tennessee)
The Falcons’ pass rush got a bit better as the season came to a close, but they still need some help for Matthew Judon.
James Pearce Jr. showed off plenty of speed with a 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant (DL – Michigan)
The Cardinals need to get someone big in the middle of their defensive line. Kenneth Grant provides that and more.
He’s excellent against the run and will also provide some value as a pass rusher.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE – Boston College)
It seems the NFL is high on Jalon Walker, so he could be the pick here or much earlier, but with Trey Hendrickson wanting out and Sam Hubbard retiring, the Bengals need to add more EDGE depth.
They franchise-tagged Tee Higgins, so he appears in line to come back, temporarily solving their wide receiver need.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Matthew Golden (WR – Texas)
With Tyler Lockett getting released and DK Metcalf traded to the Steelers, it only makes sense for the Seahawks to look to another speedy wide receiver in Matthew Golden.
He ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine.
Golden is more than a speedster, though. He has great hands and runs excellent routes.
It’s unclear who will be throwing him passes with the Seahawks trading Smith, but he’ll be a weapon for someone.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell (LB – Alabama)
The Buccaneers need a linebacker and Jihaad Campbell might be the only one worth taking in the first round.
He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the combine.
20. Denver Broncos: Luther Burden III (WR – Missouri)
The Broncos will add more offensive talent to support quarterback Bo Nix. Luther Burden, who ran a suitable 4.41 40-yard dash, will step into the slot in Week 1 and be productive.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)
While we don’t yet know who will play quarterback for the Steelers, adding Emeka Egbuka in the first round may feel a bit like a luxury pick after trading for Metcalf.
Metcalf, George Pickens and Egbuka would provide any quarterback with an amazing trio of weapons.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan)
Jim Harbaugh reunites with Colston Loveland. He can line up all over the field and the Chargers need some answers on offense outside of Ladd McConkey.
They could add some pass-catchers in free agency, but for now, I’ll go with Loveland here.
23. Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson (CB – Michigan)
With Jaire Alexander likely moving on, the Packers get Will Johnson. He might not be the best man coverage corner, but he’s long and might be someone the Packers would be interested in.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Walter Nolen (DL – Ole Miss)
Walter Nolen is great against the run and will bring a physical presence to the middle of the Vikings’ defensive line.
I also think he could eventually become a solid pass rusher.
25. Houston Texans: Grey Zabel (OL – North Dakota State)
The Texans need to add some talent to the interior of their offensive line. Grey Zabel can play anywhere, including center.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Maxwell Hairston (CB – Kentucky)
Maxwell Hairston showed blazing speed at the combine (4.28 40-yard dash) and explosiveness (39.5-inch vertical).
He’s someone who’s not afraid to get physical and will participate in the run game.
Also, Ahkello Witherspoon is a free agent.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Nick Emmanwori (S – South Carolina)
The Ravens’ coverage unit improved in the back half of 2024 but they will not pass up on an athlete like Nick Emmanwori.
Marcus Williams is set to leave town. At pick No. 27, they could get a guy who had a 43-inch vertical, ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and measured in at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds at the combine
Emmanwori and Kyle Hamilton on the back end would be nightmarish for opposing passing attacks.
28. Detroit Lions: Shemar Stewart (EDGE – Texas A&M)
The Lions have a steady presence with Aidan Hutchinson on one end. On the other end, they could have an explosive athlete in Shemar Stewart, who may not have had much production in college but has a profile you cannot pass up on.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish in the top 10 or fall out of the first round completely.
29. Washington Commanders: Jalon Walker (LB – Georgia)
Jalon Walker can play true linebacker and come off the edge. With head coach Dan Quinn, I trust him to use Walker in the best possible way(s).
30. Buffalo Bills: Malaki Starks (S – Georgia)
Malaki Starks may not blow you away with an athletic profile, but he’ll step in for the Bills from the word “go” and make plays and play with a high football IQ.
He’s another player, like Stewart, who could go much higher than this spot.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr. (OT – Oregon)
The Chiefs traded away Joe Thuney and it feels like they’re in a position to take an offensive lineman no matter what.
This could change based on free agency, but if a competent offensive lineman is on the board, it’ll be hard to imagine the Chiefs passing on them after Super Bowl LIX.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Mykel Williams (EDGE – Georgia)
Mykel Williams can play the run extremely well. He may need a bit more polish as a pass rusher, but what better team to go to than the Eagles to continue that development alongside other Georgia greats like Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and Nakobe Dean?
More 2025 NFL Mock Drafts
- Andrew Erickson: 2025 Mock Draft
- Kurt Blakeway: 2025 NFL Mock Draft
- Russell Brown: 2025 NFL Mock Draft
- Matthew Jones: 2025 NFL Mock Draft (2.0)
- 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
