The first couple of waves of 2025 NFL Free Agency have come and gone, and all 32 teams still shockingly own their first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. That makes for a much more fun 2025 NFL mock draft experience, because everybody has a seat at the table.
And this year’s incoming crop of rookies will be an absolute blast to evaluate because there are so many different players who can help a wide variety of teams. That will make for an extremely unpredictable weekend of NFL Draft festivities in late April.
In this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, we’re taking a look at a scenario in which Travis Hunter falls further than normal, running backs are flying off the board in the first two rounds, and the depth of the defensive linemen/pass rushers in this class flexes in a big way. Who does your favorite team come away with?
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Jets, Panthers make shocking picks in top 10
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
At this point of the offseason, the Tennessee Titans haven’t really brought in any viable alternatives to whoever they might pick at #1 overall in free agency or through a trade. They’ve still got Will Levis, but I’m not sure he’s going to be the opening day starter for this team. Although the 2025 quarterback class doesn’t feature a Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, or even a Drake Maye, Cam Ward looks like the type of playmaker at the position who could lead a franchise.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Cleveland Browns found $160 million ways to keep Myles Garrett interested in being part of their team, but he’s going to need help. And without a stable situation at quarterback, this franchise is going to have to keep games tight with a dominating defense. Getting Abdul Carter to pair up with Myles Garrett could make the Browns at least tough to go up against every week.
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The brain trust of the New York Giants – GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll – are like cats on their 9th life. The proof of concept is there for these guys given the fact that they made the playoffs in 2022, but the way things went in 2024 left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. Getting a young potential franchise QB in the building and showing promise in 2025 is likely the only way those guys are keeping their jobs.
4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
We typically go “chalk” here with the New England Patriots taking offensive lineman Will Campbell, but could we potentially have another Ja’Marr Chase/Penei Sewell situation on our hands here? The Patriots were hopeful of acquiring a big-time receiver this offseason and it hasn’t happened. Travis Hunter is the best player in this draft, and even with a need at offensive tackle, they can’t pass up on his talent here to address that need.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The Jacksonville Jaguars are rumored to be interested in potentially moving on from former 1st overall pick Travon Walker, and if that’s the case, the EDGE position could become a sleeper here with this pick. I don’t think first-year GM James Gladstone can go wrong with Mason Graham in this slot given Graham’s high floor as a prospect and ability to come in and make an immediate impact.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Raiders got their guy at the quarterback position in Geno Smith, and they need to properly surround him with their most valuable picks. Ashton Jeanty is fresh off of an absolutely dominating season for Boise State and the way running backs have been taking the league by storm lately should only serve to elevate his value. He would be a home run pick for Pete Carroll’s Raiders here.
7. New York Jets: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Jets hired Aaron Glenn as their new head coach and he’s going to bring a specific brand of football to New York. One of the key losses for this Jets team in the 2025 offseason was DJ Reed in the defensive backfield, and the Jets could potentially shock the NFL world here and make Jahdae Barron the top defensive back off the board. Barron is absolutely worthy of that distinction but this would be about as high as he could go.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jihaad Campbell, LB/EDGE, Alabama
The Carolina Panthers need to find new cornerstone pieces for their defense and there are a number of directions that could make sense with this pick. They failed to lure Milton Williams from the Eagles but they made a couple of other big splashes on the defensive line. Maybe the next step is to go after a weapon off the edge? Jihaad Campbell can play off-ball linebacker or rush the passer and he has big-time traits.
9. New Orleans Saints: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
The Saints aren’t usually in a position to be able to land Jalon Walker in our 2025 NFL mock draft scenarios but this would present them with a very fun scenario. The top two tight ends are still on the board, the top receivers are still on the board, and the top tackles are on the board. Maybe the Saints would be an ideal trade down team to watch for. Getting Jalon Walker gives them more weapons in the pass rush department, either way.
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
For the longest time, Will Campbell went to the Chicago Bears in just about every mock draft projection. It’s been a while since we’ve seen him fall this far down the board but the Bears would be completing their offensive line overhaul with this pick. After trading for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, after signing Drew Dalman, Will Campbell could be the missing piece for Ben Johnson’s starting five.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
The San Francisco 49ers may have other more pressing needs defensively, but if they are going to throw a massive contract offer at quarterback Brock Purdy, then they’ve got to make sure he’s well protected. Armand Membou might be the best pure tackle in this class but as is the case with most guys these days, he could slide inside to guard is the 49ers saw fit to put him there. He has the size, length, and athleticism to do whatever.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
One of the players whose stock has seemingly been all over the place over the last month-plus is Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker. I think with a player like this, someone who didn’t test great at the NFL Scouting Combine, you’re really relying on tape and the interview process. With Zack Martin retiring, the Cowboys have a need at right guard and Booker could be another plug-and-play starter.
13. Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The losses of both Brandon Jones and Jevon Holland over the last two offseasons have given the Miami Dolphins a very clear direction early on in the 2025 NFL Draft. They’ve got to get a safety with one of their top picks, and one of the players NFL coaches absolutely are going to love is Georgia’s Malaki Starks. Starks has played in a lot of big games and has looked mature beyond his years out there since he became a Bulldog.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Indianapolis Colts seem to be one of the top landing spots for the tight ends in this year’s draft. If either Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland is still on the board with this pick, the Colts would probably be dancing in their NFL Draft war room. There’s not much their offense lacks in terms of the weapons department but a playmaker like Tyler Warren at tight end could make life a lot easier on Anthony Richardson (or Daniel Jones…).
15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The Atlanta Falcons have made a lot of waves the last couple of years for their flashy offensive selections, but the defense has suffered for it. And now, franchise staple Grady Jarrett is gone (Chicago Bears). It’s time for GM Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris to start making more investments in the defensive trenches and Mike Green is a great place to start. He was one of the country’s most prolific pass rushers in 2024.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
It worked while Jonathan Gannon was in Philadelphia, so he might want to bring the strategy down to Arizona. Just take as many Georgia Bulldogs as possible these days and good things are probably going to happen for you, right? As funny as it may be, and as clear as the warning is not to scout the “helmet”, a player like Mykel Williams coming in and pairing up with Josh Sweat off the edge for the Cardinals would be huge.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
With a run on EDGE players taking place here in the middle of the first round, the Cincinnati Bengals don’t really have the luxury of waiting around. As we await word on whether or not Trey Hendrickson will be the latest Bengal to get a massive contract extension, the need off the edge is clear. Donovan Ezeiruaku is not generally considered a top-20 player but his college production (16.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss in 2024) will appeal to NFL teams.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Even though the Seahawks seem to be taking Sam Darnold on a year-to-year trial basis, they need to fortify and upgrade their offensive line. Geno Smith was consistently running for his life and we all know that Sam Darnold already has seen ghosts in the NFL. The Seahawks need to do everything in their power to make sure Darnold is well protected and Grey Zabel might be the best interior player in this class when all is said and done.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Buccaneers are simply taking advantage of a fortuitous situation here. Will Johnson has no business falling this far down the board but you never know what supply and demand at other positions is going to do to cause havoc in the NFL Draft. Johnson has been compared to Pat Surtain in the past for his high floor as a prospect, sound technique at the position, and he would be a nice long-term piece for the Bucs to have. With the run on EDGE guys a few picks earlier, Johnson is the direction here.
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The Denver Broncos have been attacking their top needs this offseason one by one, getting some help for Bo Nix in the form of a stronger defense and a true weapon at tight end in Evan Engram. The one position offensively that lacks a clear starting option right now is at running back. Expect the Broncos to go with a running back very early in the 2025 NFL Draft, because Bo Nix can’t carry the team the same way he did in 2024. Omarion Hampton has a chance to go as high as 10th or 12th overall but would be a home run pick for Denver here. If not Hampton, perhaps TreVeyon Henderson who has received some Jahmyr Gibbs comparisons.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be holding out some hope for Aaron Rodgers, or perhaps they are going to roll with Mason Rudolph this season. Whatever the case, I do feel like they might be gunshy about a quarterback in this slot because of the failure of the Kenny Pickett selection. It might just be better for them to go a different direction for a year and punt that long-term situation. You can’t go wrong snagging a 330-pound defensive lineman who can move like Kenneth Grant.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
This 2025 NFL mock draft has a couple of rekindled pick reunions, including Colston Loveland back to the Chargers. Loveland is way too good of a prospect to be sitting in this slot, but he has the obvious connection to Jim Harbaugh (Michigan) and would fill a huge void in the Chargers offense right now. The Chargers tried to snipe Evan Engram from the Broncos in free agency but couldn’t get it done. This would be a more-than-acceptable alternative situation.
23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Shockingly, the first receiver to come off the board is Texas wideout Matthew Golden. I’m not sure what the Packers are going to try and do here whether they go after another receiver, an EDGE player, or a cornerback, but Golden might be the best overall value for them. He’s an explosive, sure-handed player who could allow them to move on from Romeo Doubs if they want to re-sign other players in the near future.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The way Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores sends defensive players on blitzes, there might not be a more perfect first-round fit for his team than South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori. Emmanwori is cut from the same cloth as the likes of players like Derwin James and Kyle Hamilton, and the Vikings will see the vision with a guy like this. After losing Camryn Bynum in free agency, safety is a position of need.
25. Houston Texans: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
The Houston Texans made one of the most confusing deals of the offseason so far when they sent Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders for draft pick compensation. The trade of Tunsil has given the offensive line a violent shove to the top of Houston’s list if absolute needs in the 2025 offseason and Kelvin Banks still sitting on the board would be great for them. He wouldn’t have to move far and could play either left tackle or left guard.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Los Angeles Rams have invested a lot in upgrading the trenches defensively, really reloading those positions and rebuilding them entirely from the unit that helped them win the Super Bowl just a couple of years back. Now, they need more playmakers on the back end of the defense. Maxwell Hairston has the length and speed to be a ball-hawking cornerback from Day 1 in the NFL, and would be a solid value here late in the first round.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Baltimore Ravens have to continue loading up on the defensive side of the ball to find those difference makers who can be the X-factor in close, one-score games in January. They need guys who can affect throwing lanes, get after the quarterback, and come up with game-changing plays. Shemar Stewart is a bit of a projection based on his lack of college production sack-wise but he’s a big-time athlete and specimen off the edge.
28. Detroit Lions: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
After the complete debacle we saw last year from the Detroit Lions defensively due to injuries, I don’t think general manager Brad Holmes is going to let his team get caught with their proverbial pants down again. They need to fortify depth at all three levels of the defense and getting an interior presence like Derrick Harmon, who used to play at Michigan State as well, could be a perfect situation in round one.
29. Washington Commanders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
This is easily the furthest Tetairoa McMillan has fallen in one of our 2025 NFL mock draft projections, and this might be the floor for him. The Commanders have Terry McLaurin and they made a big trade to acquire Deebo Samuel, but McMillan could come in and provide them with the perfect “X” receiver skill set. He might not be as fast as people hoped but he’s got good ball skills and big-play ability.
30. Buffalo Bills: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
We have a newcomer to the first round fray in Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos. Amos has generated some hype lately and has the type of size and speed teams covet at cornerback. The Bills should be motivated to break this odd curse they’ve got going with first-round cornerbacks. Kaiir Elam was just traded to the Cowboys and Tre’Davious White didn’t work out, either. Perhaps Amos can help them get things figured out for the long haul.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Even after signing Jaylon Moore in NFL free agency, the left tackle position remains a question mark for the Kansas City Chiefs. Maybe not to the organization, but is anyone really buying that Moore is going to be the long-term solution? This has been the toughest area for the Chiefs to figure out on a consistent basis in the Patrick Mahomes era. At what point does that start really costing them?
32. Philadelphia Eagles: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
The Philadelphia Eagles lost Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Brandon Graham from their stellar defensive front this past year. The Super Bowl was proof that you can dominate games defensively in today’s NFL when you’re able to get pressure with just four guys and the Dolphins are likely going to make every move they possibly an in order to stay right where they are. James Pearce Jr. can’t seem to keep his stock steady these days and he’s fallen out of the first round entirely in a number of mock draft scenarios.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Full 2nd-Round Predictions
33. Cleveland Browns: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
34. New York Giants: Azaraye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
35. Tennessee Titans: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
37. Las Vegas Raiders: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
38. New England Patriots: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
39. Chicago Bears: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
40. New Orleans Saints: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
41. Chicago Bears: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
42. New York Jets: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
43. San Francisco 49ers: Demetrius Knight, LB, South Carolina
44. Dallas Cowboys: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
45. Indianapolis Colts: Charles Grant, OL, William & Mary
46. Atlanta Falcons: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
47. Arizona Cardinals: Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo
48. Miami Dolphins: Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
50. Seattle Seahawks: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
51. Denver Broncos: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
52. Seattle Seahawks: Xavier Watts, DB, Notre Dame
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
54. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
55. Los Angeles Chargers: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
56. Buffalo Bills: Alfred Collins, DL, Texas
57. Carolina Panthers: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
58. Houston Texans: Jared Wilson, OL, Georgia
59. Baltimore Ravens: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
60. Detroit Lions: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
61. Washington Commanders: Darien Porter, DB, Iowa State
62. Buffalo Bills: Billy Bowman, DB, Oklahoma
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
64. Philadelphia Eagles: Joshua Farmer, DL, Florida State
One thing we could really see a lot of on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft is teams taking shots on offensive skill players. Here in this second round projection, you see a lot of running backs, tight ends, and receivers coming off the board. As talented as some of the guys are that have been consistently going in the first round, if teams really start to prioritize the trenches and other positions, then the bigger-name skill guys could end up being awesome overall value.
The Browns get the party started with TreVeyon Henderson, one of the most dynamic and explosive playmakers at running back in this draft class. His Ohio State teammate Quinshon Judkins flew off the board a handful of picks after that to the Chicago Bears.
The Tennessee Titans followed up their pick of Cam Ward with the selection of Luther Burden, an after-the-catch stud who physically and play-style wise is sort of reminiscent of Chris Godwin.