The 2025 NFL Draft is finally (almost) here. In just over 24 hours, we can put to rest whether or not Shedeur Sanders deserves to slide down the first round, who takes running back Ashton Jeanty, and if the defensive line will dominate the night.
The best way to put an end to pre-draft coverage is by doing a mock draft of the first round. Sure, it’s an exercise in futility as these things can go millions of directions, and we are only offering one simulation that certainly won’t be the real timeline we live in for 2025.
But for fun, you can read my 2024 mock draft, where I got about a quarter of the picks right in some fashion. I’m sure Seahawks fans probably wish they got Jared Verse, the Defensive Rookie of the Year, instead of the Rams. I also sent wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to Buffalo in a trade, which would be looking much better than Keon Coleman right now. C’est la vie.
This year, I decided not to include any trades and just run it straight through 1-32. I’m not confident in much after the first three picks, but I think this is a good simulation for what teams maybe should do Thursday night. I’m not anticipating anything as crazy as the Falcons using the No. 8 pick on Michael Penix Jr. last year, but that moment is why the draft is good TV and why it has such a huge impact on the future of the NFL.
Let the butterfly effect begin.
Table of Contents
1. Tennessee Titans
The Pick: QB Cam Ward, Miami
Let’s not make this one complicated. Will Levis is never going to be the answer in Tennessee, so you start fresh with the top-ranked prospect and quarterback in this class in Cam Ward, someone who has playmaking ability and hopefully won’t turn the ball over in meme fashion on a weekly basis like Levis.
This one sounds like a done deal, too, because Ward can’t be delusional enough to think Calvin Ridley is a better wide receiver than A.J. Brown. You’re only saying that if you know the Titans are paying you next season.
2. Cleveland Browns
The Pick: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
Selfishly, I want to see Travis Hunter, the draft’s most intriguing prospect, go to a better team than Cleveland. But it seems like he’s going there with the hope that he can have an impact on both sides of the ball. He doesn’t necessarily have to be WR1 or CB1 there this season, too, but he’ll have high expectations as he tries to do something no one has in the modern game.
3. New York Giants
The Pick: Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State
Again, I personally think it’d be much cooler to see the Browns pair Myles Garrett with Abdul Carter and for Travis Hunter to back up Malik Nabers and take over as the Giants’ best corner. But the odds are pointing in the other direction for these two picks.
Carter could be the edge rusher the Giants need to pair with Brian Burns in a division where you have to slow down Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, and Dak Prescott.
4. New England Patriots
The Pick: OT Will Campbell, LSU
We get a little less chalky with the No. 4 pick, but it still feels like the right spot for Will Campbell in New England. Give Drake Maye a left tackle for hopefully the next decade, and he should be a major player in the running game, too. Mike Vrabel likes this pick.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Pick: DT Mason Grahm, Michigan
Now we’ve truly reached the crossroads where things could go a variety of ways. Maybe the Jaguars aren’t that intrigued by Mason Graham, the top-ranked defensive tackle who isn’t going to be a sack machine like Aaron Donald was at that position. Maybe they think they can get by with their edge rushers and add a major talent elsewhere, like Ashton Jeanty.
The odds are shifting to Jeanty going here, but I’m sticking to the guns and stressing that interior pass rush is still important, and the Jaguars don’t have it right now. They take Graham to help with that.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
The Pick: RB Ashton Jeanty
This is another interesting one as the Raiders could go a variety of ways, including Shedeur Sanders, who could learn from a good mentor in Geno Smith. But ultimately, I think Pete Carroll isn’t in the business of waiting for a future quarterback to do something. He’s going to give Geno the best back in the class and hope for a big impact like his best teams had with Reggie Bush (USC) and Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks).
Offensive line could be an option too here as the Raiders may not feel they have the hogs up front to make the most of the Jeanty pick. But they also don’t have anything threatening in the backfield at the moment.
7. New York Jets
The Pick: OT Armand Membou, Missouri
If you’re rolling with Justin Fields at quarterback, you have to understand he holds the ball as long as any quarterback. You’d better have a good tackle who can hold his blocks and do some damage in the run game. I see Armand Membou taking over at right tackle for the Jets here.
8. Carolina Panthers
The Pick: LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
The Panthers are used to having a prominent off-ball linebacker from Sam Mills to Dan Morgan to Luke Kuechly to Shaq Thompson. Some like wide receiver for this pick, and I get that too, but I think they will take Georgia’s Jalon Walker as the top player at his position in this class.
9. New Orleans Saints
The Pick: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Part of this is so I don’t have to actively root against Shedeur Sanders succeeding in Pittsburgh after just writing that it’d be a foolish move for the Steelers to draft him at No. 21. So, let’s make the pick where he doesn’t slide that far and instead goes to the Saints, who have a new coach with no allegiance to Derek Carr, who may not be healthy (shoulder) for 2025.
Sanders would have a better mixture of weapons and offensive coaching around him in the Superdome than he’d have in Pittsburgh. It’s the best spot for him in a winnable division, too.
10. Chicago Bears
The Pick: OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Another one of my favorite picks in the draft, just because of all the directions the Bears could go. Some have said tight end Tyler Warren, but I like Cole Kmet too much for that. Some have said they trade up for Ashton Jeanty, but my gut says Ben Johnson is a smart guy who realizes Detroit’s running game worked so well because of the blocking up front.
Chicago isn’t settled yet in the offensive line, which brought the offense down last year. Kelvin Banks Jr. is gaining steam as the third-best tackle in this class, and I think that’s where the Bears ultimately go here.
11. San Francisco 49ers
The Pick: ILB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
The 49ers have had great front-seven players for about 15-20 years now. But after losing Dre Greenlaw, there’s a void there that they could fill by drafting Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell and putting him next to Fred Warner. The pick should be on defense for this team, and this makes the most sense to me.
12. Dallas Cowboys
The Pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
The Cowboys could go in a few directions, but I think if you’re paying Dak Prescott that top-level money, you give him a shot with a better WR2 than what they have now behind CeeDee Lamb. Tetairoa McMillan is considered the best full-time wide receiver (read: not Travis Hunter) in this class, and he’d be a good complement to what Lamb brings to the table.
13. Miami Dolphins
The Pick: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
The Dolphins could be shipping corner Jalen Ramsey off, so getting a young replacement would be a smart move to help them not get cooked so badly by Josh Allen twice a year every year. Johnson is the top non-Travis Hunter corner for many in this draft, so it feels like a logical fit for a team that probably should focus on non-skill players here.
14. Indianapolis Colts
The Pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
I believe I tried giving the Colts Brock Bowers last year, but the Raiders beat them to it. It just feels like the Colts haven’t had a really good, reliable tight end since Dallas Clark, and Tyler Warren reminds me a bit of him. This pick may not be the best move with Anthony Richardson there, but Warren is a big target and could be a safety net for him.
At worst, the next quarterback in Indy will have a good tight end to throw to.
15. Atlanta Falcons
The Pick: Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia
This is another pick that’s “making up” for last year when everyone thought the Falcons would draft a top-ranked edge rusher at No. 8 instead of Michael Penix Jr. But if your quarterback is going to succeed, he’ll need a better defense than what Raheem Morris had to work with in his first year on the job. Enter Mykel Williams, an edge rusher from Georgia.
Keep him in the state, Atlanta, as this should kick off a run of edge rushers, who are considered the deepest and best position group in this draft.
16. Arizona Cardinals
The Pick: Edge Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
We know the Cardinals have some really impressive athletes at the skill positions. But they lack that talent on defense. Despite signing Josh Sweat (Eagles) in free agency, more work can be done for a team that had one player reach 5.0 sacks last year. Let’s give Shemar Stewart to Jonathan Gannon, who saw his 2022 Eagles produce 70 sacks with their pass rush.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
The Pick: Edge Mike Green, Marshall
The Bengals need to use the draft to find their offensive linemen and defensive needs after spending so much on their wide receivers. Even if they’re keeping Trey Hendrickson in town, they still obviously need more on defense to make the playoffs again. Mike Green has some off-field history to consider, but that hasn’t stopped the Bengals in the past from drafting a talented player.
18. Seattle Seahawks
The Pick: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
He might have gone higher if he hadn’t injured his knee last year. But I think Josh Simmons is still a top 20 pick and winds up in Seattle for a new-look offense with Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Pick: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
The Buccaneers don’t have a lot of glaring needs, but you can never have enough good corners in this game. They were getting cooked by Washington’s Dyami Brown in that playoff loss. I think you give Todd Bowles one of the top corners in this draft in Jahdae Barron, and should feel good about that.
20. Denver Broncos
The Pick: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
The Broncos keep getting connected to running backs, and it makes sense. Sean Payton has always been enthralled with the position of Reggie Bush and Mark Ingram in his New Orleans days. I’m still not sure they need to use a first-round pick on one this year, but Omarion Hampton seems to be the consensus choice for the next back after Jeanty.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pick: DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Everyone wants to mock a quarterback to the Steelers since they still haven’t signed Aaron Rodgers, which should have zero bearing on this draft, given his age. He’s not your future, even if he does finally sign.
But the latest craze is that the Steelers will draft Shedeur Sanders at No. 21, which I strongly disagree with. Then there’s been links to Jaxson Dart, and some have talked about Alabama’s Jalen Milroe going this high to Pittsburgh.
I think the Steelers say forget about a first-round quarterback, and they make their usual move of taking a front-seven player in Derrick Harmon, who can be their future replacement for Cam Heyward.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
The Pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
I originally had Kenneth Grant going here as another Michigan player, but I think it’s a Michigan player for Jim Harbaugh. I’m giving Justin Herbert another weapon as maybe Colston Loveland can pair with Ladd McConkey as Herbert’s new reliable duo in the passing game.
Plus, you don’t want Loveland hanging around long enough in the draft to where the Chiefs can take him as their Travis Kelce replacement at No. 31.
23. Green Bay Packers
The Pick: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
The streak is over. For the first time since Javon Walker in 2002, the Packers will use a first-round pick on a wide receiver with the draft held in Green Bay, too. Matthew Golden is a speedster from Texas who gives a new dimension to this receiving corps, which has battled too many injuries (Christian Watson) and disappearing acts from Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed.
Give Jordan Love a high-end target who has a chance to develop into a good starter.
24. Minnesota Vikings
The Pick: SAF Malaki Starks, Georgia
Harrison Smith is still going strong at 36 years old, but it could be a draft where the Vikings look towards the future at safety. Malaki Starks is in a close battle with Nick Emmanwori for the top safety in this class, but I think Starks is the fundamentally sound choice for Brian Flores’ defense.
25. Houston Texans
The Pick: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
It might be a luxury pick, but the Texans have a lot of solutions for their roster already in place. Wide receiver was supposed to be one of them, but injuries to Stefon Diggs (now in New England) and Tank Dell (out for the year) changed that plan.
That’s why I think you keep C.J. Stroud happy by reuniting him with Emeka Egbuka, who had his best season at Ohio State in 2022 with Stroud as his quarterback. That’s a good answer for a WR2 behind Nico Collins.
26. Los Angeles Rams
The Pick: QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
For some intrigue, the Rams will take a quarterback in Jaxson Dart. Matthew Stafford is 37 years old, which makes him one of the oldest quarterbacks in the NFL today. This is a pick for the future with a team that’s built to win now.
You could say they should take another young pass rusher, offensive lineman, or a corner here instead, but I think you make this pick for life after Stafford, as Dart is someone who can learn well from Sean McVay. Also, the Rams have loaded up on young pass rushers in recent drafts, and they’re set at wideout with Davante Adams joining Puka Nacua.
27. Baltimore Ravens
The Pick: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Maybe John Harbaugh gives his brother Jim a call to check on another Michigan prospect here. But I think the Ravens beef up the defensive line with the other half of that great interior from Michigan.
28. Detroit Lions
The Pick: OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
Grey Zabel is a top-ranked guard with versatility in this draft. That makes him feel like a “kneecap eater” for Dan Campbell for a team that’s probably going to make sure the offensive line is still in tip-top shape after losing the creativity of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
29. Washington Commanders
The Pick: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Jayden Daniels should be trusted to handle his business on offense after arguably the best rookie quarterback season in NFL history. But he needs a better defense if this team is going to topple Philadelphia in the division and set themselves up for a better path to the Super Bowl.
You give Dan Quinn talent on defense, and someone like Donovan Ezeiruaku was ridiculously productive at Boston College last year. Give the Commanders an edge rusher here.
30. Buffalo Bills
The Pick: Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Similar to Washington, the Bills came up short on Championship Sunday. If you’re going to get over the hump (Kansas City in the playoffs), you have to find someone who can put pressure on Patrick Mahomes without sending a blitz. That’s why I like the speed of James Pearce Jr. as an undersized edge rusher for the Bills.
You can’t just stop at adding Joey Bosa, who is often injured. Add another edge rusher here.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
The Pick: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
We know if the Chiefs ever get back to a Super Bowl soon, that’ll mark six left tackles in six Super Bowls in the Patrick Mahomes era. It’d be nice to find a reliable player who can last multiple contracts in Kansas City to protect the blindside of Patrick Mahomes as he goes into his 30s.
Maybe Josh Conerly Jr. is a developmental pick, but they have the time to do it after signing Jaylon Moore (49ers) in the offseason. They tried drafting Kingsley Suamataia last year and pulled the plug early after he struggled. Maybe his future is at guard. With Conerly, they can take their time and work him into a starting tackle position.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
The Pick: DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
The rich get richer. The Eagles lost some of that defensive line (Josh Sweat and Milton Williams), so look for them to take advantage of this draft class and find another key piece. Walter Nolen is explosive and kept improving in college. You line him up next to Jalen Carter, and the Eagles should be set again with their interior pass rush, one of a quarterback’s worst nightmares.
That’s a wrap on the first round. We’ll come back Friday to see what really went down.
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