2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
First look at the 2025 NFL Draft
We are less than a month out from the draft, and I have yet to release a mock. Given that this is the first one, I’ll just do writeups for the first 10 picks, leaving room for expansion in further updates.
1 - Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Daniel Jeremiah had this to say in his most recent mock draft:
As we inch closer to the draft, it’s beginning to look more and more likely that Ward will be the first overall pick, whether it’s to the Titans or one of the QB-needy teams that sit close behind them in the order, if one were to trade up to No. 1.
Tennessee has an obvious need at QB, and hasn’t done much to address the position in the off-season. I could see them addressing that need differently — Mike Borgonzi was part of a KC front office that took a tackle first overall and then traded for veteran Alex Smith — but at this juncture, it seems that there would at least be a couple of teams looking to trade for this pick (Browns, Giants, Saints) if the Titans decided they did not want Ward.
2 - Browns - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Cleveland absolutely needs to address the quarterback position. They have the pieces for a quality defense, anchored by star Myles Garrett, but are extremely hampered by the Deshaun Watson contract. Kirk Cousins is an option here, and was spotted recently in the Cleveland area:
With that said, I remain skeptical that a deal here could come to fruition with Atlanta. For starters, let’s take a look at some recent QB trades involving comparable players:
2025 — Geno Smith to the Raiders for a third-round pick
2022 — Matt Ryan to the Colts for a third-round pick
2022 — Carson Wentz to the Commanders for two third-round picks
2020 — Nick Foles to the Bears for a fourth-round pick
2019 — Joe Flacco to the Broncos for a fourth-round pick
Cousins is coming off of a tough season less than a year removed from an Achilles tear, but should still be generally well-regarded as a startable option. The average cost for someone like this has been a third-round pick.
If you factor in the Browns’ cap situation, Atlanta will likely have to eat a good bit of the $27.5M in base salary Cousins is owed this year. That could bump this to a second-round pick in cost (maybe since the Browns pick early this would be third-round pick 67 and something else instead of pick 33). It also doesn’t help the Browns in successive years if Cousins plays well and is worth retaining.
It just seems far more reasonable (which front offices are not guaranteed to be) for them to acquire a cost-controlled rookie and hope that he outplays his contract. I also just can’t shake Garrett’s comments on the QB situation in Cleveland:
“Any team that’s going to go far needs a quarterback and one that’s young, can learn, and is willing to be patient with the process,” Garrett told Browns Radio Network, via video from Content Browns. “There’s going to be some bumps in the road. It’s going to be some learning pains. But us as a team has to be able to be a landing pad for him, and know being on the defensive side, help him out whenever things go wrong.”
This after Garrett alluded to knowing the Browns’ plan and it being part of his decision to sign an extension. The only real way to have control over this is to be selecting a QB with the second pick.
3 - Giants - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Giants have been busy trying to figure out their own QB needs this spring, recently signing veterans Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson after missing out on Matthew Stafford and (presumably) Aaron Rodgers. Jeremiah echoed my sentiments exactly surrounding the Giants in a recent episode of 40s and Free Agents:
I think if they love Shedeur, they could still take him there. But I also look at it, Greg, and I'm always looking at windows, right? And looking at timelines and the pressure and the urgency. And it feels like the Giants, everyone involved there needs to win right now. So you could make a case that you say, OK, well, Russ or Jameis, you know, assume Russell end up winning that job. We take Travis Hunter with the third pick and then we come back. And if we want to, we can get Tyler Shough. We could take a Jaxson Dart or whoever in that second round. But feeling like that third pick combined with what we just did with the veteran, maybe that helps us win more games this next season.
In this exercise, Sanders is not even available at three (and a presumption that he won’t be could be the impetus for the veteran QB signings), but I think that even if he is, the Giants may pass on him. This regime needs wins, and rookie QBs don’t usually get you those unless they are special (see Jayden Daniels). Hunter seems like an obvious pick for a team that just needs to be a lot better on offense in 2025.
4 - Patriots - Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
The Patriots’ situation is pretty cut and dry in any scenario where two QBs go in the first three picks. Just take whoever is left between Hunter and Carter. If the top three picks work out to be Ward, Hunter, and Carter, now we have a bit of an interesting dilemma.
In that instance, I would say the options are Will Campbell, Ashton Jeanty, Jalon Walker, or a trade back. With respect to arm-length-gate surrounding Campbell, it is worth noting that Mike Vrabel was in Tennessee when the Titans selected Peter Skoronski (32 1/4” arms) 11th overall.
5 - Jaguars - Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
New GM James Gladstone understands the importance and value of a strong defensive line with his Rams background. They have needs on the offensive line as well, but signed Patrick Mekari, Robert Hainsey, and Ezra Cleveland to strengthen it. This is another potential Campbell destination. With that said, Graham would give Jacksonville the disruptive interior presence they currently lack.
6 - Raiders - Will Campbell, OL, LSU
John Spytek comes to Vegas from Tampa Bay, a front office notorious for taking high-RAS prospects in the first round. That creates an interesting marriage with Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly, who undoubtedly will want to run the ball.
The intersection of these two ideals is Campbell, a high-RAS tackle who would be an instant upgrade over D.J. Glaze on the right side. Ashton Jeanty is another option, but it is worth noting this draft is deep at RB. Specifically, two of Kelly’s players from Ohio State — TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins — could be available to Vegas at pick 37.
7 - Jets - Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
The defining characteristic of the Lions in the Dan Campbell era has undoubtedly been the offensive line. We’ve already seen Ben Johnson try to mimic that in Chicago, and while New Yorks’ OL is further along than what Johnson inherited, there is still room to improve at right tackle. Membou is not as refined as Penei Sewell was when Detroit drafted him seventh overall in 2021, but may be the better pure athlete.
Membou is a big people-mover and would be a statement pick for a team that — with three great RBs and a running QB — will look to grind teams out in the run game.
8 - Panthers - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
While Carolina’s defense was a disaster last year, the focal point for the team should still be the continued progress of Bryce Young. This team needs pass-catchers in the worst way, and while TE is not much of a need on its own — Ja’Tavion Sanders showed flashes as a rookie and the Panthers just extended Tommy Tremble — Warren is absolutely the best pass-catcher in this part of the draft.
One thing I noticed when parsing through Carolina’s snaps last year is that Sanders saw most of his passing work from the slot and out wide (just 33% in-line), while Tremble was more of the traditional TE. One way to overcome a lack of WR talent is to utilize more 12 personnel. Tremble’s extension amounts to a one-year, $6M deal if he is cut in 2026. That isn’t worth passing on Warren.
The Panthers can add a WR on Day 2 if they would like to add more talent there.
9 - Saints - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Jeremiah things new DC Brandon Staley can be persuasive in the draft room, and he gets his way here with a versatile chess piece in Campbell. Used primarily off the ball at Alabama, Campbell was the top pass-rusher in his high school recruiting class. There are a lot of tools here. What’s more, Campbell looks reminiscent of Mickey Loomis’ last first-round pick at LB.
Loomis is another GM with a penchant for high-RAS players.
10 - Bears - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The goal in Chicago right now is to maximize Caleb Williams. They’ve already made major additions to the offensive line. The final piece is the do-it-all RB. Ben Johnson already sent D’Andre Swift to the doghouse in Detroit, and Roschon Johnson is a fine yet uninspiring back. If Jeanty doesn’t make it here, Omarion Hampton is another option.
I think Warren would be an option here also if he was available. Colston Loveland could be too, though it is worth noting they could probably use an in-line TE to use alongside Cole Kmet.
11 - 49ers - Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
12 - Cowboys - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
13 - Dolphins - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
14 - Colts - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
15 - Falcons - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
16 - Cardinals - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
17 - Bengals - Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
18 - Seahawks - Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
19 - Bucs - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
20 - Broncos - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
21 - Steelers - Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
22 - Chargers - Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
23 - Packers - Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
24 - Giants - Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi
*Giants trade up to get their QB of the future, and someone Mara has signed off on*
Anthony, as usual love the mocks. Really challenges how I am thinking about things. Question: If the browns go Hunter at 2 (which I think they will), do the giants 100% take Sanders? Or Carter? They have burns and Thibodeaux on roster. There could be some really juicy odds for an off the wall pick there.
Think giants have to move that far up for a QB rather than 30-32? Rams that much of a possibility to get in front of?