“Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages…” (IYKYK).

WE ARE BAAAAAAAAAAACK! Mock Draft SZN is officially upon us, so we get to start prognosticating how the 2025 NFL Draft will shape out! There is still a lot of uncertainty around the draft stock of many players, and the draft order is not officially finalized yet, but that doesn’t stop us from taking a look at how the draft could shake out in a few months. As a reminder, my mocks are what I think will happen in the draft, it does not reflect my opinions of players in the draft class. While I normally add trades wherever I see fit, since this is a very early look, I tried to not have any trades. However, I did put a trade into this mock centered around one very controversial prospect!

So without further adieu, let’s mock!

ROUND ONE

1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB Miami- The “QB1,” debate in this class should dominate the headlines of the NFL Draft season. Shedeur Sanders has his fans and his detractors, but the biggest wrinkle in where he gets drafted is if he will pull an Eli Manning and force his way to a certain situation.

If there is any hesitation in Sanders’s willingness to play for the Titans, and I think there will be, Cam Ward will be the selection. 

Ward is my personal top quarterback in the draft because he anticipates NFL throwing windows and he understands how to put the ball in spots where his playmakers can make a play on the ball. If I were the Titans, I would pick Cam Ward regardless of what Sanders does.

2) *TRADE* Las Vegas Raiders (from Browns): Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado- Many expect Cleveland to take a quarterback, but at this moment, I think a flier on a veteran and a trade down is more likely. Deshaun Watson still carries the worst contract in football, which means the Browns will struggle to add the necessary talent on offense to set up a rookie for success. Plus, if Shedeur Sanders does demand to go to certain places, the Browns will likely not be on that list.

One team that would be on Sanders’s list is the Raiders. Vegas has the second most cap space, and their minority owner, Tom Brady, has worked with Sanders during Sanders’s time in Colorado. 

If Ward goes first, look for Vegas to make a play at landing the former Colorado star.

The Trade: The Las Vegas Raiders trade the #6, #69, and a 2026 1st round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the second overall selection

3) New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB Ole Miss- Here’s where this mock goes off the rails. The early predictions from many are that quarterbacks will go lower than expected because it’s a weak quarterback class, and that is true. However, it’s a weak draft class overall, which means the value is about the same as a normal draft season. If a third quarterback emerges during this draft process, they could easily go top five like Anthony Richardson did a few years ago.

Jaxson Dart had a massive bowl game against Duke where he flashed maybe the best potential of any quarterback in this draft class. Dart can make any throw on the field if given a clean pocket, and his ability to make off-platform throws is unique. Look for Dart to climb up draft boards during the draft process because of his upside if put in the right situation.

4) New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB Colorado- Hunter projects as a corner at the next level because of his length and physicality in coverage. He breaks well out of the backpedal, he mirrors well, and he possesses terrific ball skills. On top of that, he’s guaranteed to take some snaps on offense throughout his NFL career and he can certainly make plays there as well.

5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Campbell, OL LSU- The Jaguars offensive line once again failed to keep its franchise quarterback healthy for an entire season, which makes that the number one priority this offseason. Campbell is one of two high-quality tackles in this draft class, but many project him to move inside because he has all-pro potential at guard. His footwork and IQ when facing opposing pass rushers should allow him to have a long career regardless of where he plays.

6) *TRADE* Cleveland Browns (from Raiders): Tetairoa McMillian, WR Arizona- In a scenario where Shedeur Sanders chooses to only play for specific teams, Cleveland has a perfect opportunity to trade back and acquire assets for a roster with very little cap space.

Jerry Jeudy had a strong season, but he’s still not a “WR1.” Tetairoa McMillian is a stud with the ball in his hands and a 50/50 monster. The threat of the go-ball allows him to effortlessly create space on comebacks and hitch routes. McMillian may be the only true top-tier wideout in this draft.

The Trade: See Pick #2.

7) New York Jets: Will Johnson, CB Michigan- DJ Reed is likely gone in free agency, which means the Jets will look for a number two corner this offseason opposite Sauce Gardner. Fortunately for them, they are in a perfect position to take an elite corner here. Will Johnson is one of the few players in this draft with Pro Bowl potential. His length, his technique in and out of his backpedal, and the anticipation he showed in a multitude of coverages make him a perfect fit on the other side of Gardner.

Editor’s Note: The Jets are losers and I hate them. Just had to get that off my chest after this past season. Okay, back to the mock.

8) Carolina Panthers: Mason Graham, IDL Michigan- The interior of the Panthers defense was a true nightmare in 2024. Graham is a hardworking 3-tech who understands how to gain leverage at the point of attack. Even this far away from the draft, I would be willing to bet that this is Mason Graham’s floor in terms of draft stock.

9) New Orleans Saints: Abdul Carter, EDGE Penn State- The one area of strength for this draft class as a whole is the defensive line talent. Carter broke out in his final year at Penn State. He has elite dip-and-bend ability off the edge. He also lines up in a multitude of spots along the defensive front to contribute in a lot of different ways. Carter reminds me a lot of the way Penn State used Micah Parsons, which is likely why he’s the first edge player off the board in a few months.

10) Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT Texas- Chicago has to protect Caleb Williams better in 2025 to allow him the chance to be successful. Banks’s strength is his footwork on an island in pass protection. I could see Banks playing left or right tackle at the next level because his strength in pass protection is in the 45-degree set; meaning he tries to get his hands on edge rushers quickly to prevent them from running the arch, but still kicks out instead of jumping forward at them.

11) San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, EDGE Georgia- Length and power is the name of the game for Mykel Williams. He’s an elite athlete, but his force at the point of attack is what makes him tough to stop. The 49ers excel at taking length and raw athleticism and creating a quality pass rusher, so this is a perfect fit.

12) Dallas Cowboys: Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB Georgia- Do not be shocked if, in a few months, Dallas looks to move up the draft board for Abdul Carter. Putting him opposite Micah Parsons would take a lot of pressure off of the rest of the defense. Should they stay put here, expect them to still go pass rusher for the same reason.

13) Arizona Cardinals: James Pearce, EDGE Tennessee- The run on edge rushers continues with James Pearce. Pearce is lightning-quick off the ball as an edge rusher and has top-tier athleticism. He has to become better at setting the edge in the run game to play on all three downs, but he can rush the passer from day one.

14) Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S Georgia- One of the sneaky best players in this draft is Georgia safety Malaki Starks. He has the ball skills in the deep part of the field to make impact plays at the next level. However, the mark of an elite safety prospect is their willingness to tackle and the angles they take to the ball. Starks is strong in both areas.

15) Atlanta Falcons: Nic Scourton, EDGE Texas A&M- Scourton has impressive size and length and has good power at the point of attack. He translates to someone who can bounce between a 3-tech and a 5-tech depending on the scheme, which gives him some flexibility that other edge players lack in this class. Atlanta needs a pass rusher to take their defense to the next level, so look for them to address that at some point this offseason.

16) Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, IDL Michigan- The interior of the Dolphins defense was a disaster last season. Grant’s ability to eat blocks in the run game and collapse the pocket as a pass rusher makes him well worthy of a first-round pick if he tests well at the combine.

17) Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Simmons, OT Ohio State- Simmons could sneak into the top 10 in mocks before this draft season is finished. Simmons is one of the best at kicking out and beating edge rushers to the arch, and that athleticism could catapult him over others in this class.

18) Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama- Four quarterbacks in the first round sounds blasphemous at the moment, but here’s why it’s more probable than you think. The amount of QB-needy teams extends way beyond those at the top that need players to start. Seattle has a 35-year-old Geno Smith in the last year of his contract. While some of these quarterbacks may not be ready to start on day one, they all have NFL-caliber traits that can be coached up.

Jalen Milroe’s athleticism and arm talent will intrigue a lot of teams that are willing to sit a quarterback and start them in year two. In a weak draft class, that player could easily go in round one.

19) Houston Texans: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL Arizona- Most of the offensive linemen in this draft class translate better as a guard than a tackle, and Savaiinaea fits that mold. His size and length project much better as a guard, as does his technique. The power he has in his strikes will play better along the interior at the next level.

20) Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE Michigan- Loveland is one of two elite tight-end prospects in this draft class. He’s a great separator against defenders when working the middle of the field, and in my opinion, both he and Tyler Warren are better playmakers at the next level than the majority of this receiver class. Denver could use a safety valve for Bo Nix in the middle of the field to help take pressure off of Courtland Sutton, making tight-end a very natural selection here at 20.

21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB East Carolina- The Bucs will likely address their back seven on defense throughout this offseason. Revel was having a brilliant season before his injury at East Carolina. At 6’3, his length makes him a candidate to be an elite cover corner at the next level, provided he tests well athletically in a few months.

22) Pittsburgh Steelers: Trey Amos, CB Ole Miss- Pittsburgh is going to be a difficult team to predict throughout the draft process. Despite a playoff appearance, they have so many needs throughout their roster. One of those needs is a number two cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr., so that’s what they do here in this mock.

23) Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Warren, TE Penn State- Pass catcher may not look like a need for the Rams, but Cooper Kupp will be 32 in June. With his injury history, it’s worth investing in a pass catcher somewhere in this draft.

Warren was used in a multitude of ways at Penn State. He’s tough to bring down with the ball in his hands and he makes 50/50 balls look 70/30. Warren would be a nice fit in the Rams’ dynamic offense.

24) Green Bay Packers: Shemar Stewart, DL Texas A&M- Stewart does not have elite production, but he has elite traits, and those players always go higher than expected come draft time. Green Bay often looks to address the trenches early in drafts, so even though they have other needs, they go front seven with this pick.

25) Los Angeles Chargers: Derrick Harmon, IDL Oregon- The Chargers could generate more pass rush along the interior to elevate their defense in 2025. This class features a few unique pass rushers along the interior, and one of them is Derrick Harmon. He has terrific lower body flexibility which should help him at the next level.

26) Washington Commanders: Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State- In order for this offense to evolve, getting a playmaker opposite Terry McLaurin is important. Egbuka really improved his route running in his final year at Ohio State. He has a very high floor, which in this draft is enough to land you a first-round selection.

27) Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Booker, IOL Alabama- Baltimore runs the ball better than any team in the NFL. Tyler Booker is one of the best run blockers in this draft. A fairly simple thought process here.

28) Minnesota Vikings: Walter Nolan, IDL Ole Miss- The interior of the Vikings was a weak spot on a much improved defense in 2024. Nolan is viewed by many as someone who could rise up draft boards because of his elite athleticism. Traits will matter more than tape in this draft process because the tape for many is not at an elite level. Nolan slides in at 28 in this mock, but he could be much higher come April.

29) Buffalo Bills: Jihaad Campbell, LB Alabama- Sean McDermott has had a lot of success over his NFL career with developing elite linebackers. Campbell’s ability to shoot the proper gaps in the run game, as well as his read-and-react ability in coverage, could make this the steal of the draft should it come to fruition in a few months.

30) Philadelphia Eagles: Isaiah Bond, WR Texas- I’m going out on a limb here at the back end of the first round. AJ Brown has had his issues during the 2024 season, and Devonta Smith has struggled to stay healthy. It would be wise for Philadelphia to invest in their depth at receiver sometime during this offseason.

31) Kansas City Chiefs: Aireontae Ersery, OL Minnesota- How the Chiefs won 15 games in today’s NFL with an offense that failed to score 30 points in a game is one of the biggest mysteries of 2024. Replacing Jawaan Taylor should be a layup move for the Chiefs this offseason because of how inconsistent Taylor has been.

32) Detroit Lions: Mike Green, DL Marshall- Detroit likely addresses their front seven depth at some point during this offseason because it could cost them a deep playoff run this season. Green’s tape was dominant in his final season at Marshall. If his athleticism testing matches up, he could rise up draft boards.