It’s officially the 2025 offseason for all but four NFL teams, which means we’re leaning heavily into 2025 NFL Mock Draft season here. Mock drafts are always an exercise in futility when it comes to overall accuracy, but it’s one of the best ways to look at possible scenarios, potential team/prospect fits, as well as play a game of What If?
And that’s exactly what we’re going to do today. In this mock draft, we’re going to look at a scenario that asks, what if the Pittsburgh Steelers make a bold move up the board for a quarterback?
What if the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings work out a tag and trade deal for quarterback Sam Darnold?
What if the Cleveland Browns take a local product at quarterback in round two?
And that’s exactly what we’re going to look at in this two-round mock draft scenario. The Steelers strike up a blockbuster trade with the Patriots which costs them their second-round pick in 2025 and a 1st-round pick in 2026 while the Vikings get a 2nd-round pick out of the Raiders for Sam Darnold. Let’s see how this madness might play out.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers make bold move up the board
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The Tennessee Titans fired GM Ran Carthon and hired former Chiefs executive Ran Carthon in his place. The biggest issue for this team is obviously the quarterback position and the quicker the Titans get that issue figured out, the quicker they can compete in what appears to be a fairly wide-open AFC South.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Cleveland Browns should be expected to make some type of move at the quarterback position, but is this the draft class they will want to attach their futures to? There are some reclamation projects that could work for this team and they might opt for the best overall player on their board instead of just whatever QB is left.
3. New York Giants: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
After a disastrous 2024, the New York Giants are back to the drawing board and they have one of the most obvious quarterback needs in the league. How secure are GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll? It’s going to be interesting to see if the top brass in New York allows those guys to make a bold, risky pick like this one.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Patriots): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Calls for Mike Tomlin to be traded or let go are growing louder from the fan base. Tomlin and the Steelers desperately need a quarterback solution and this is a desperation type of move. Shedeur Sanders would have a great defense and head coach behind him as well as whatever else the Steelers look to add with over $40 million in cap space.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the only remaining NFL teams without a head coach at this point. But no matter who becomes the head coach, it’s hard to imagine anyone not wanting a playmaker like Travis Hunter, who would instantly make the Jaguars must-see TV (as if Brian Thomas Jr. isn’t already).
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Raiders obviously acquired Sam Darnold in a tag and trade scenario with the Vikings in this scenario, and the obvious next step is to make life better/easier for him. That’s what happened when he was with the Vikings where he had Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, Aaron Jones, and the great Justin Jefferson.
7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The New York Jets just hired Aaron Glenn as their new head coach and Glenn knows firsthand the value of a deep, menacing defensive line. He benefitted from that as a player, and he saw how impactful it was to lack a deep defensive line in this year’s playoffs. Mason Graham would be a great addition to this Jets roster.
8. Carolina Panthers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Carolina Panthers just need so many pieces on both sides of the ball. Luckily for them, we’re not talking about the quarterback position for this season. Adding a playmaker at the cornerback like Will Johnson would be huge for this team even though they still need a pass rusher off the edge to make life easier for him.
9. New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Saints are in one of the worst salary cap situations in the entire NFL this season, and it remains to be seen what kind of impact that will have on the current roster. One thing we know – the ageless wonder Cam Jordan is not getting any younger. A player like Mykel Williams could be exactly the type of long-term replacement the Saints need.
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
The Chicago Bears have now hired Ben Johnson as their next head coach, and you can expect both he and GM Ryan Poles to get to work in building a wall around Caleb Williams. Expect the Bears to go after big fish in free agency like Trey Smith and then get the best OL on their board in the top two rounds.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Trent Williams’s absence was extremely notable for the San Francisco 49ers this year. If the Niners are going to re-sign Brock Purdy (as they alluded to at their end of season presser), then they are going to need to go cost-controlled at offensive tackle. The contracts of players like Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle will necessitate finding a stud at left tackle in the draft.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Dallas Cowboys could go a few other directions besides running back, but with the impact we saw from Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Derrick Henry this year on other teams, it’s hard to think a team like Dallas won’t be playing a bit of copycat. This team could jump back near the top of the NFC East if Jeanty is even half as productive in the NFL as he was at Boise State.
13. Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Dolphins lost Brandon Jones in free agency last year and they could lose Jevon Holland this year. If this team is resetting at the safety position, then few prospects make as much sense in round one than Malaki Starks. Starks is a stud on the back end and could be the perfect fit for Miami in round one.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
I think you could already argue that Anthony Richardson doesn’t lack for weapons to spread the ball to. Between Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, the Colts are pretty loaded up. With that in mind, a game-changing tight end could take Shane Steichen’s offense to the next level. We all saw how much Dallas Goedert helped Jalen Hurts when Steichen was with the Eagles.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
The Atlanta Falcons need to take the best defensive player on their board here, probably just regardless of the position. The Falcons have so many weapons offensively but after investing so heavily on that side of the ball for the first few years of the Terry Fontenot era, it’s time to go after defensive studs. Jalon Walker would be a fan favorite immediately.
16. Arizona Cardinals: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Jonathan Gannon and the Arizona Cardinals recognized their need for help off the edge this year and struck up a trade for Baron Browning. I think we’ll see that emphasis on the defensive front continue in the 2025 offseason and James Pearce Jr. brings game-changing abilities off the edge. He would be a great value here.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
Are we going to see the Cincinnati Bengals try to re-sign star receiver Tee Higgins this offseason? For that matter, are we going to see them give a big-money contract to Ja’Marr Chase? There are some major question marks looming for the Bengals at receiver and while you aren’t getting a one-for-one replacement here, it would be tough to pass on the value of Luther Burden if Tee Higgins does leave for the highest free agency bidder.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
It was abundantly clear based on what we saw this year that the offensive line needs to be addressed in Seattle. The Seahawks need to keep Geno Smith upright, because he’s still good enough to keep them in playoff contention. Kelvin Banks played left tackle at Texas but there are some talks that he could slide in to guard at the next level. Wherever he plays, he’d make up one-fifth of the “best five” for Seattle for sure.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
The Buccaneers might trade up a few spots for someone like Luther Burden in this scenario if Chris Godwin leaves in free agency, but Jalen McMillan actually emerged for them this past year as well. Defensively, this Bucs team might need to start looking at some long-term options at the cornerback position. Shavon Revel might have been a top-10 pick if he hadn’t suffered an injury this past year at East Carolina.
20. Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
It was a tough call here for the Broncos between Emeka Egbuka or Colston Loveland. While the tight end position is clearly worse in Denver, Egbuka might be a better long-term play with Courtland Sutton approaching the age of 30 and huge question marks looming with guys like Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin. This offseason will be all about surrounding Bo Nix for the Broncos after his phenomenal rookie year.
21. New England Patriots: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
After trading down with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots free themselves up a little bit to really attack a lot of prominent needs in the first two rounds. That starts with the left tackle position. The Steelers need to fortify their offensive line this offseason for Drake Maye and Ersery is an easy mover who can bully defenders in space in the running game as well.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Los Angeles Chargers found a couple of big-time additions for Justin Herbert and the offense in last year’s draft with Joe Alt at right tackle and Ladd McConkey at receiver. Getting a playmaker at the tight end position like Colston Loveland – who already knows Jim Harbaugh’s offense well – would be borderline unfair. He could have a Brock Bowers-like impact in his rookie season.
23. Green Bay Packers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Green Bay Packers decided not to address their cornerback position for the long term in the 2024 offseason, which came as a shock to many. I think we’re going to see GM Brian Gutekunst really reshape this position group as he often does with multiple draft selections incoming. Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes could both be gone this offseason. A player like Benjamin Morrison could fit exactly what Gutekunst and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley want at the position.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
As much as we saw Brian Flores blitz last year for the Vikings, just imagine how dangerous this defense could be with even more playmakers on the defensive front. Walter Nolen is going to be one of the true gems of this rookie class and the closer we get to the Draft, I have a feeling he’s going to be one of those guys who is entrenched in the top 10 picks of most mock draft predictions.
25. Houston Texans: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
The Houston Texans have been building something special on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve got the combination of Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. at the cornerback position with Jalen Pitre at safety. They’ve got the duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter off the edge. How about a guy with 34-inch arms and big-time twitch to add to the defensive interior?
26. Los Angeles Rams: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Los Angeles Rams have been building their young defense from the inside out, and a player at the second level with the size, range, and playmaking ability of Jihaad Campbell could be the next logical step in the progression. Campbell makes it feel like you’ve got 12 players out there defensively and he can play on all three downs. He’s going to be a stud in the NFL from Day 1.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
When you look at the Baltimore Ravens’ roster, there’s not much they really “need”. With that being said, this team went after Nate Wiggins in the 1st round of last year’s draft and ended up having to utilize Tre’Davious White down the stretch. With the versatile Jahdae Barron for the secondary, you’d have a fantastic trio at corner with Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and Barron with Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Stewart on the back end.
28. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The debacle in the playoffs revealed exactly how much the Detroit Lions really need depth on the defensive side of the ball. And maybe a new training staff. This Detroit team was decimated on the defensive side of the ball by injuries and the loss of Aidan Hutchinson was particularly detrimental. The addition of a guy like Scourton could raise the floor at the position and give the Lions another absolute dawg off the edge to get after the QB.
29. Washington Commanders: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Washington Commanders go after a number of offensive positions to continue surrounding Jayden Daniels this offseason, but I also think some top free agents are going to want to come play in Washington with Daniels. They might have the “luxury” of shifting their attention to the defense, which gets an absolute steal here in Derrick Harmon. The former Michigan State transfer played and dominated at Oregon this past season.
30. Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
We could see the Buffalo Bills – who have a handful of picks in the first two rounds – really go hard after players on the defensive front in this year’s NFL Draft. Kenneth Grant would be a really fun addition for this team as a versatile weapon on the defensive line who has tremendous athleticism and size. He may not have fully realized his potential at Michigan but NFL teams are going to love the flashes of talent.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
The Philadelphia Eagles may have found a solution this past season with Mekhi Becton, a former first-round pick, excelling with a position switch to guard. But that will unfortunately make him more money in free agency than the Eagles will likely want to pay. Getting a cost-controlled option to step in and start from Day 1 at right guard is on brand for Howie Roseman.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
There will be yet another concerted effort by the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason to find a long-term solution at the left tackle position. It just so happens that Cameron Williams played on the right side for Texas because of Kelvin Banks, but the early word on this guy is that he has the athletic traits to be able to play on the left side. Can the Chiefs develop him and develop him quickly? That is the big question here.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Full 2nd-round predictions
33. Cleveland Browns: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
34. New York Giants: Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
35. Tennessee Titans: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
37. Minnesota Vikings (from Raiders): Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
38. New England Patriots: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
39. Chicago Bears: Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky
40. New Orleans Saints: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
41. Chicago Bears: Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue
42. New York Jets: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
43. San Francisco 49ers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
44. Dallas Cowboys: Alfred Collins, DL, Texas
45. Indianapolis Colts: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
46. Atlanta Falcons: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
47. Arizona Cardinals: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
48. Miami Dolphins: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Landon Jackson, EDGE/DL, Arkansas
50. Seattle Seahawks: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
51. Denver Broncos: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
52. New England Patriots (from Steelers): Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
54. Green Bay Packers: Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
55. Los Angeles Chargers: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
56. Buffalo Bills: Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
57. Carolina Panthers: Jared Ivey, EDGE, Ole Miss
58. Houston Texans: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
59. Baltimore Ravens: Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
60. Detroit Lions: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia
61. Washington Commanders: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
62. Buffalo Bills: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
63. Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
64. Kansas City Chiefs: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
How about the idea of the Cleveland Browns using a relatively risk-free Day 2 draft selection on Will Howard and seeing if the National Champ can lead the Browns back to prominence? You just never know. Howard did a lot to upgrade his NFL Draft stock during the College Football Playoff run and you never know how a situation like this one could work out.
The Vikings obviously made the aforementioned trade with the Raiders involving Sam Darnold and with back-to-back picks, they go defense. Getting a cornerback like Maxwell Hairston to feed off of that blitz-heavy defense could lead to even more turnovers for one of the league's best defenses.