The 2025 NFL Draft is almost here, and in my penultimate mock draft, I decided to do some rather unique things to see how the board would fall.
I’ll be back on the day of the draft with my final mock draft, but let’s see who lands where in this mock draft.
Spoiler: No. 4 is a doozy.
2025 NFL Mock Draft
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB – Miami)
We all know it’s going to happen.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter (WR/CB – Colorado)
The Browns certainly need to figure out the quarterback position, but they cannot pass on a player of Travis Hunter’s talent. I expect he’ll play primarily at wide receiver, which will help whoever the quarterback is in 2025.
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter (EDGE – Penn State)
This is a “best player available” approach. A package with Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence all on the field would be a nightmare for opposing offenses.
4. New England Patriots: Josh Simmons (OT – Ohio State)
OK, like I promised, here’s where I went a bit outside the box, to put it nicely.
This one is just a gut feeling.
Josh Simmons was seen talking to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at Ohio State’s Pro Day.
Yes, I know he tore his patellar tendon, but he plans to hold a workout in April.
Assuming all goes well medically, Simmons is a perfect fit for the Patriots, who desperately need a franchise left tackle.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham (DT – Michigan)
I’ve had Mason Graham connected to the Jaguars for months, and I’m not changing my mind (yet). He doesn’t have the longest arms, but he’s managed to produce at a high level and is extremely explosive.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson (CB – Michigan)
The Raiders need help at cornerback. It’s not extremely dire, but Johnson could be a No. 1 CB in the NFL — something the Raiders certainly don’t have.
7. New York Jets: Armand Membou (OT – Missouri)
The Jets need a right tackle. Armand Membou is a right tackle.
It’s that simple.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker (EDGE – Georgia)
The NFL seems high on Jalon Walker, and the Panthers need pass-rush help. I wouldn’t trust him in coverage yet, but his explosiveness will capture the attention of many teams.
9. New Orleans Saints: Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
If Ashton Jeanty is still on the board here, I’m starting to feel good about the Saints taking him.
New head coach Kellen Moore just saw what happens when you have an elite running back last season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Yes, there are questions surrounding quarterback Derek Carr‘s status next season, which makes it all the better for them to take a stud running back to help keep the offense moving.
I don’t think Shedeur Sanders is the pick here.
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell (OL – LSU)
Tackle, guard, whatever.
The Bears need to continue firing resources at the offensive line. Will Campbell could be a steady long-term presence.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Conerly Jr. (OT – Oregon)
Josh Conerly’s athleticism will pique the interest of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and the type of offense he wants to run. Shanahan is among the best coaches Conerly can land with.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona)
The Cowboys need to get another wide receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb, and they get arguably the best one not named Travis Hunter here at No. 12 overall.
13. Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT – Texas)
With Terron Armstead calling it a career, the Dolphins need a left tackle.
Kelvin Banks Jr. has enough athleticism to move well in this Dolphins offense, whether he ultimately plays left tackle or guard.
That said, my intent at No. 13 overall would be tackle.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State)
The Colts haven’t had meaningful tight end production since Jack Doyle in 2017 (80 receptions). Tyler Warren provides a safety blanket for whoever the quarterback is, and he’s an excellent blocker.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green (EDGE – Marshall)
The Falcons need some pass-rush help, and Mike Green is about as explosive and physical as you’ll find in this draft class. Green only has two years of starting experience, but I’m a fan of his traits.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jahdae Barron (DB – Texas)
Jahdae Barron has plenty of positional versatility, reminiscent of Brian Branch.
The Cardinals need someone back there on defense who can move around and play multiple spots to intimidate opposing offenses, and Barron will be able to do just that.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Booker (OL – Alabama)
Tyler Booker isn’t going to exactly wow anyone with his foot speed, but he’s a powerful, hulking guard at six-foot-five and 325 pounds.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel (OL – North Dakota State)
Grey Zabel could play anywhere along the offensive line, but I think he’s best suited on the interior. He’s a great athlete and will be helpful to the Seahawks’ running game and new quarterback Sam Darnold.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell (LB – Alabama)
The Buccaneers have a massive need at linebacker, and Jihaad Campbell fits the bill. He has low missed tackle numbers and tested quite well at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.52 40-yard dash (89th percentile).
20. Denver Broncos: Walter Nolen (DT – Ole Miss)
I love Walter Nolen. There are ups and downs, but he’ll be a disruptor when he’s at his best. There’s a lot of clay to be molded here, and I think Sean Payton can help get it done.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omarion Hampton (RB – North Carolina)
The Steelers could sign Aaron Rodgers to play quarterback. To help him, they will add a versatile Joe Mixon-like running back in Omarion Hampton. He’ll run the ball exceedingly well and can also do some damage as a pass-catcher.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan)
The Chargers need a tight end. This pick reunites head coach Jim Harbaugh with Colston Loveland, a player who probably has the most reliable hands of any pass-catcher in the draft.
23. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel (CB – East Carolina)
Shavon Revel is coming off an ACL injury, but he’s the type of cornerback the Packers would like — a true man coverage cornerback. There’s uncertainty surrounding Jaire Alexander, and Revel could fill that void should Alexander depart this year or next.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks (S – Georgia)
The Vikings need someone like Malaki Starks on their defense, especially in the secondary. He has great ball skills despite his average athleticism. Starks also has a high football IQ and will be excellent in Brian Flores’ system.
25. Houston Texans: Donovan Jackson (OL – Ohio State)
The run on offensive linemen has happened, and the Texans end up with C.J. Stroud‘s former college teammate in Donovan Jackson. Jackson is a Day 1 starter, especially along this offensive line.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Maxwell Hairston (CB – Kentucky)
The Rams need some reinforcements at the cornerback position, and who better than a guy who ran a 4.28 40-yard dash?
Sean McVay would love to have this athletic specimen on the field.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Nick Emmanwori (DB – South Carolina)
Nick Emmanwori and Kyle Hamilton in the Ravens’ secondary should be illegal, but I’m allowing it.
These two monstrous safeties will be extremely difficult for opposing offenses to manage.
Emmanwori is explosive and could immediately help cover opposing tight ends while Hamilton roams in the backfield, waiting to pick balls off.
28. Detroit Lions: Shemar Stewart (EDGE – South Carolina)
The Lions have invited Shemar Stewart for an official visit. While he didn’t have much production in college, his explosiveness and violence fit the Dan Campbell mold, especially with Kelvin Sheppard as the new defensive coordinator.
They’ll get Stewart on track. Stewart and Aidan Hutchinson are a scary duo.
29. Washington Commanders: Matthew Golden (WR – Texas)
The Commanders traded for Deebo Samuel, but I do have questions regarding how much longer he can hold up. The Commanders could use another outside receiver in place of Noah Brown. The Commanders don’t have a speed threat with Dyami Brown leaving, and Golden fills that need as the team pushes to have even more success in 2025.
30. Buffalo Bills: Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)
There are some intriguing interior defensive lineman options here, but I want to see the Bills get help for Josh Allen. They have some solid wide receiver options in Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer and Keon Coleman, but Emeka Egbuka can play inside and in the slot. He will be a steady No. 2 WR for years to come, especially with Allen as his quarterback.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
31. Cleveland Browns (from Kansas City): Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)
OK, the Shedeur Sanders slide stops here.
The Chiefs miss out on many offensive line prospects and opt to trade down and accumulate more assets. In return, the Browns pair Sanders and Hunter, along with a fifth-year option for the former Buffaloes signal-caller.
Now, it’s only a matter of time before Deion Sanders becomes Cleveland’s head coach.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrick Harmon (DT – Oregon)
The Eagles lost Milton Williams and restocked with Derrick Harmon, a player who had just one year of real production, but his first step off the line is something to behold.
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