Another week, another mock draft. This 2025 NFL mock draft is two rounds long and includes some unexpected action with the QB position. With this class not projected to be all that strong at the QB position, teams may have to get creative to find their franchise passer. Simply put, this might not be a great year to need a QB.
Contrast that with the 2024 NFL Draft, and it seems like last year was the year to nab a franchise signal-caller. For the teams who did miss out last year, the 2025 NFL Draft could be a desperation play for them. There are many other positions that other teams will be addressing as well, and with the coming NFL Draft just not being all that talented at the top, it could make for an interesting first round.
Let's dive into our latest 2025 NFL mock draft.
NFL Draft order taken before beginning of 2024 NFL Playoffs.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Two-round mock draft includes unexpected QB action
1. Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
With the Tennessee Titans now officially having the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it does provide some clarity on which players could go first. To me, the momentum seems to indicate that Cam Ward is the likely candidate to go to the Titans.
Ward might not be as polished of a prospect as Shedeur Sanders is, but Ward is the better overall athlete by a mile and has the stronger arm. The Titans could opt to take a higher-ceiling player in Ward and hope that head coach Brian Callahan and the rest of the offensive staff can develop him properly. Cam Ward to the Titans with pick no. 1 in this NFL mock draft.
2. Cleveland Browns - Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Surprise! Jalen Milroe heads to Cleveland with the second overall pick in this 2025 NFL mock draft. I truly do not think that Deion Sanders would let his son Shedeur get drafted to the Browns. As silly as that sounds, I can see it happening. News broke late last week that Browns’ QB Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles again, so he’s now facing another recovery that could hold him out of the entire 2025 NFL Season.
The Browns may be best off taking a rookie QB in the NFL Draft and bringing in a low-cost veteran to be the bridge QB. This allows them to easily (kind of) move on from Deshaun Watson if they are able to at least put a logical long-term QB plan in place.
3. New York Giants - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The New York Giants made a huge mistake in the 2024 NFL Draft when they took Malik Nabers out of LSU over JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr. The process from GM Joe Schoen was flat-out terrible last year. And now Schoen and the Giants are stuck taking Shedeur Sanders, who is a worse prospect than all six first-round QBs in 2024.
The Giants really have no choice here; but they do have a decent base with a stud WR in Nabers and a stud LT in Andrew Thomas. There is talent here and there on this roster, and at the end of the day, hitting on a QB fixes most issues. While Schoen has totally botched the QB process, he is able to get Sheduer Sanders in this 2025 NFL mock draft.
4. Carolina Panthers (via NE) - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Trade! The Carolina Panthers trade up in this NFL mock draft and get some much-needed pass rush help with Abdul Carter from Penn State, who is a sensational prospect.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Mason Graham, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars opt to beef-up the trenches by taking Mason Graham in this NFL mock draft. Graham is the best defensive prospect in the NFL Draft class if you ask me and can help the Jags re-tool their roster the right way. Jacksonville has a very talented roster, as GM Trent Baalke has not done a bad job at drafting during his Jags’ tenure.
The team needs to hire a new head coach and also needs to shore up their offensive line a bit better. The one thing you’d have to give Baalke credit for is that he is not afraid to spend in free agency, so he may try to shore up any weakness when FA opens in March.
6. Las Vegas Raiders - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Las Vegas Raiders try their hand at Travis Hunter and his dual-threat NFL ability. I do truly believe that Hunter wants to play both cornerback and wide receiver at the NFL level, and the Raiders do have a need for both positions. This franchise is a disaster - they have again fired their GM and HC and will again reset.
Both Tom Telesco and Antonio Pierce got the boot after the 2024 NFL Season, and it seems like the Raiders want to bring in a new pair at HC and GM who can work together and who have a shared vision. That seemed to be the main reason why the veteran GM Telesco got the boot after having a very strong initial draft class.
Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy this season and could have a very productive NFL career.
7. New York Jets - Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
The New York Jets make a bold move and draft Quinn Ewers at pick seven in this mock draft. Ewers seemed to be a slam-dunk first-round pick a few months ago, but that doesn’t seem to be the case now. The Jets make the move to get their guy and don’t risk anything with a trade down. This QB class is not projected to be all that deep, so some may see this as the Jets overdrafting the Texas QB.
However, with the future of Aaron Rodgers unknown, the Jets have to put in a long-term solution at QB, so they take a gamble on Ewers.
8. New England Patriots (via CAR) - Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The New England Patriots moved down in this mock draft and are still able to nab one of the best offensive linemen in this class. Will Campbell could be the Patriots' franchise left tackle, and this is a huge need for the franchise. Rookie QB Drake Maye was playing behind an awful offensive line in 2024, so de-facto GM Eliot Wolf and the new head coach (probably Mike Vrabel) have to get the OL fixed.
After that, they can work on bringing in some new weapons for Maye to use in the passing game.
9. New Orleans Saints - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The New Orleans Saints have to rebuild their roster, period. The team has a ton of bloated contracts with aging veteran players occupying them. The first order of business should be to cut Derek Carr, but I am not sure Mickey Loomis is serious enough to do that. The Saints’ best course of action would be to make sure the trenches are as stout as possible.
I went with Mykel Williams for the Saints in this NFL mock draft. Replacing some of the lost juice up front could be a good start, and it’s clear that they are out of range for one of the top QB prospects. Heck, Loomis got them into this mess, so why is he also the one to get them out? I am not sure what’s going on over in New Orleans…
10. Chicago Bears - Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
The Chicago Bears have to shore up their offensive line, and if they were to hire Ben Johnson, Johnson is surely going to agree, as the current Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator has the best offensive line in football, so without a competent OL, no offense will succeed.
The Bears take the top guard in the NFL Draft in Tyler Booker to begin their process of rebuilding that unit. If the OL is shored up, the Bears are going to be dangerous on offense in 2025 and beyond.
11. San Francisco 49ers - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Potentially losing Charvarius Ward in free agency, the San Francisco 49ers do have to bring in another cornerback, so Will Johnson heads west and goes to San Fran. The Niners are in an interesting spot - they probably need to rip this thing down to the studs and rebuild, as many of their best players are old and are on huge contracts.
However, I do not think Kyle Shanahan wants to do that, so it may be another year where they just try to run it back, even though they shouldn’t. The 49ers pick Will Johnson in this NFL mock draft.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The most predictable pick of this mock draft, the Dallas Cowboys take Ashton Jeanty form Boise State. Jeanty was the best RB in the country in 2024 and could give Dallas an elite threat on the ground. The Cowboys do have a decent roster base, but they won’t win the big game with Dak Prescott under center. Dallas could also target another WR with the 12th overall pick, but RB is a bigger need.
13. Denver Broncos (via MIA) - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Denver Broncos make a huge trade up with the Miami Dolphins in this mock draft and send them down into the 20s. Denver takes one of the best WRs in this class in Tetairoa McMillan in a huge move to build around Bo Nix, who threw 29 touchdown passes in his rookie season.
14. Indianapolis Colts - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
One obvious area of need for the Indianapolis Colts is in the secondary. It’s actually crazy to me that GM Chris Ballard has survived into 2025, but here we are. If nothing else, Ballard can draft very well, but he’s totally botched the QB situation.
While the Colts sort through their QB issues, they can take a huge position of need and grab Malaki Starks at pick 14 in this NFL mock draft. Starks is the best safety in the class and would be a huge missing piece for the Colts’ defense. Indy recently fired former DC Gus Bradley.
15. Atlanta Falcons - Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Atlanta Falcons’ 2024 season did not go as planned, but now this next offseason will be about putting the best team around Michael Penix Jr, who was put in the lineup in favor of Kirk Cousins late this season. The team probably should not have signed Cousins in the first place, but here we are. The Falcons add to their limp and ineffective defense by taking Nic Scourton to improve their pass rush.
This feels like a logical move for GM Terry Fontenot, but will he be able to use logic this offseason?
16. Arizona Cardinals - James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
The Arizona Cardinals are another team that needs to bring in some pass rush help. They did swing a trade for former Broncos’ EDGE Baron Browning at the 2024 NFL trade deadline, but that’s not nearly good enough. In this 2025 NFL mock draft, they take James Pearce Jr from Tennessee.
The issue with the Cardinals is simply roster talent, so with another strong offseason of adding talent to the roster, they’ll be in a good spot for 2025.
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
I would hope that the Cincinnati Bengals hammer away at their defense this coming offseason. They fired DC Lou Anarumo in a move that probably needed to be made. To me, they just needed a breath of fresh air at the DC spot, but this team also simply needs better players along the defensive line and secondary especially.
At pick 17, the Bengals nab Derrick Harmon, and they should continue to be very aggressive with this unit even before the NFL Draft. The ideal scenario to me is the Bengals bringing in multiple defensive free agents and also doubling-down in the 2025 NFL Draft.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas
The Seattle Seahawks went 10-7 in the first year of the Mike Macdonald era but missed the playoffs. It’s the rare situation where a double-digit win team missed the postseason. Seattle needs to find a franchise QB, as Geno Smith is clearly not it, but for now, they take OT Kelvin Banks Jr from Texas. Banks may kick inside to guard at the next level, and Seattle could view him as a guard.
In that case, this pick still makes a ton of sense, as the Seahawks’ iOL is most definitely a massive area for improvement in 2025 and beyond.
19. Houston Texans - Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
The Houston Texans could use some help at WR. Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs both went down with season-ending injuries earlier this year, so it’s been Nico Collins and ‘hold your breath’ after that. Houston also needs to focus on their offensive line this coming offseason, and with how active GM Nick Caserio has been in free agency, he could look to shore up the unit there and perhaps get CJ Stroud a weapon in the first round.
Luther Burden is very good with the ball in his hands and could eat up yards after the catch for Stroud and the Texans for the long-term.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Shavon Revel, a CB from East Carolina, tore his ACL at the beginning of the college football season, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers see enough to take him at pick 20 in this NFL mock draft. The Bucs could lose WR Chris Godwin in free agency, which would make WR a huge need, but to me, the defense needs more help than the offense, so I went with Revel.
The Bucs have again won the NFC South and are headed to the playoffs for the second time in two years in the Baker Mayfield era.
21. Miami Dolphins (via DEN) - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Miami Dolphins moved down with the Denver Broncos in this NFL mock draft and are able to get an elite weapon in Colston Loveland, the great tight end from Michigan. The Dolphins have some huge questions to answer in this coming offseason. They should seek to upgrade their offensive line and bring in some younger weapons.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Pittsburgh Steelers have to get another WR in the building that can carve out a huge role in the offense in 2025 and beyond, and this is true regardless of if they re-sign Russell Wilson or not. To me, they have to let Wilson hit free agency unless the Steelers can win a playoff game. Wilson and Pittsburgh have lost four games in a row and are now 10-7 headed into the playoffs.
The Steelers have to seek out a more viable QB in 2025, but one way they can make the QB’s job easier is to find someone like Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State. Egbuka is a do-it-all WR. He can run routes well, separate, and would be a perfect compliment to George Pickens in the passing game.
23. Los Angeles Rams - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Oh gosh. How did we let Sean McVay get Tyler Warren? As of now, it does not seem like the Los Angeles Rams are in a rush to try and find a long-term QB solution to replace Matthew Stafford, and that might be the right move. Stafford is still playing at a high level, and Tyler Warren could take this offense up a notch.
He’s perhaps the best TE in the 2025 NFL Draft class and would be an immediate weapon for LA, especially with an elite QB throwing him the ball. All of a sudden, LA has three young weapons in Warren, Kyren Williams, and Puka Nacua.
24. Green Bay Packers - Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Benjamin Morrison heads to Green Bay at pick 24 in this 2025 NFL mock draft. The Packers may need to address their CB room this coming offseason, so getting another young defensive player makes a ton of sense to me, and when you consider how many good offenses are in the NFC North, fielding a notable secondary has to be a top priority for the Pack.
The Packers feel like they are truly another year or two away, but they have something special building and finished the 2024 regular season with a solid 11-6 record. Morrison is a huge area of need for Green Bay.
25. Los Angeles Chargers - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The Los Angeles Chargers are going to load up around QB Justin Herbert this coming offseason. They won just five games in 2023 and have gone 11-6 in 2024. It’s clear that the coaching staff was the right one to hire. Jim Harbaugh is again finding immediate success on a new team.
LA does not have very explosive players on offense and are working with house money here. With a solid foundation in place, LA can afford to take a first-round RB. I would not be shocked if this team signed one of Tee Higgins or Chris Godwin in free agency to give Herbert another weapon to go along with stud rookie Ladd McConkey. Does Omarion Hampton take the Chargers’ offense to another level?
The Washington Commanders are another team playing with house money and making it work immediately with a new coaching staff. They also may have the next elite QB in the NFL in Jayden Daniels. The Commanders have afforded themselves some flexibility to be aggressive in free agency and in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jalon Walker might be the best LB in the country and could be another enforcer for Dan Quinn and that defense.
A great defense makes life that much easier for any offense. Walker to the Commanders at pick 26.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
The Baltimore Ravens could use some tackle help in my opinion. They take Cameron Williams from Texas in this 2025 NFL mock draft. Baltimore has really figured something out on defense to end the season, and they’ll seek to continue loading up their roster to try and take advantage of the Lamar Jackson era.
Jackson may be well on his way to his third NFL MVP award. And I do not think he’d mind more help along the offensive line.
28. Philadelphia Eagles - Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
The Philadelphia Eagles take Tyleik Williams from Ohio State in this 2025 NFL mock draft. It’s another instance of GM Howie Roseman making a huge investment along the trenches. This is a primary reason why the Eagles have sustained a ton of success with Roseman as the GM - building the trenches up is directly. correlated to being a good football team, period.
29. Buffalo Bills - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
This past offseason, the Buffalo Bills underwent a slight makeover and will need to bring in some younger players on defense here and there. Buffalo takes safety Nick Emmanwori at pick 29 and are again just trying to load up for what could be the second installment of the Josh Allen era.
Buffalo seeks to get over the hump and make a Super Bowl run in 2024.
30. Minnesota Vikings - Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Missing another CB in my opinion, Trey Amos from Ole Miss heads to Minnesota at pick 30 in this 2025 NFL mock draft. The Vikings have kind of shocked the NFL world this year and have seen Sam Darnold play at an MVP level. It’ll be interesting to see what the Vikes do with the QB position, but I could see a world where Darnold is back as their starter in 2025.
Either way, CB is a huge need in my opinion for Minnesota.
31. Detroit Lions - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
It’s almost shocking that the Detroit Lions have had this many injuries on the defensive side of the ball. It could be an issue with some of their training and recovery staff, or it could just be some bad luck. Either way, GM Brad Holmes is probably going to continue loading up the defense, and Holmes could be in a situation where he sees both Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson get head coaching jobs.
That could force him to be ultra-aggressive in acquiring talent in case they lose one of their top coordinators.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
It feels like the Kansas City Chiefs got a steal here with Josh Simmons at the bottom of the first round. He’s dealing with a knee injury, so his draft stock might take a hit. Chiefs’ GM Brett Veach takes a chance and hopes that Simmons can solidify the tackle position for the Chiefs.
It’s been the one position where they can’t seem to find any consistency for some reason. It is kind of odd that a team as well-run as the Chiefs has had this issue. Anyway, KC is looking to become the first team in the history of the NFL to win three Super Bowls in a row, and there is a reason why no team has done it before. Not even the Brady-Patriots have done it.
KC grabs Josh Simmons at pick 32.
33. Cleveland Browns - Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
The Cleveland Browns got their QB at the top of this NFL mock draft, and now they get some offensive line help with Jonah Savaiinaea from Arizona. Savaiinaea may have to kick inside to guard at the NFL level, but the Browns simply need OL help all across the board, and if they hope to develop Jalen Milroe into a franchise QB, giving him a competent offensive line will go a long way.
The Browns try to usher in a new era in this 2025 NFL mock draft. Only time will tell if it works.
34. New York Giants - Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
The New York Giants get Shedeur Sanders in the first round and take WR Tre Harris from Ole Miss in the second round. All of a sudden, the Giants might be cooking with Sanders, RB Tyrone Tracy, and WRs Malik Nabers and Tre Harris. If Sanders ends up being a hit, the Giants are going to be a good team, but that’s the big factor here.
Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll were both brought back for 2025, so you have to think that the Giants are going to need to make the postseason fo Schoen and Daboll to be brought back in 2026. The Giants look to rebuild their offense with back-to-back offensive selections in this mock draft.
35. Tennessee Titans - Harold Fannin Jr, TE, Bowling Green
Harold Fannin Jr is one of the many talented tight ends in this NFL Draft class, so the Tennessee Titans really can’t go wrong here at pick 35. With Cam Ward in the building, the Titans seek to give their new QB some weapons to use. Fannin Jr comes into an offense where he could see a huge share of the targets. The Titans do have Calvin Ridley, but they did also trade DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs at the NFL trade deadline a while back.
36. Jacksonville Jaguars - Wyatt Milum, OG, West Virginia
The Jacksonville Jaguars are clearly not messing around in this NFL mock draft and have taken two picks along the trenches in Mason Graham and now Wyatt Milum from West Virginia. The Jags may have their franchise QB in Trevor Lawrence, and even though he’s not been as good as some thought he would be, he’s not going anywhere.
Fielding a tough team in the trenches would make the entire roster better. Trent Baalke might be getting something right in Jacksonville with the Graham and Milum picks in this 2025 NFL mock draft.
37. New England Patriots - Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
With two-straight picks along the offensive line, the New England Patriots are not messing around in this mock draft. Protecting Drake Maye has to come before getting him weapons, and I think we are seeing that play out in real-time. Remember when the Cincinnati Bengals took Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell in the 2021 NFL Draft?
To this day the Bengals still have offensive line issues and have now missed the playoffs two years in a row. On the flip side, the Detroit Lions are the no. 1 seed in the NFC and a Super Bowl favorite. This is not some coincidence. The Pats have to hammer away at the offensive line, period.
38. New York Jets - Jahdae Barron, S, Texas
One of the best defensive backs in this NFL Draft class, Jahdae Barron comes aboard the New York Jets and joins his Texas teammate Quinn Ewers. The Jets will need a new head coach and GM, as both Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas were fired, but it seems like there is a ton of dysfunction with the Jets at the top of their organization.
The team may or may not bring back Aaron Rodgers, but the QB can’t be the only focal point of the offseason. They have to look to improve on other roster weaknesses, so I went with Barron to join the secondary alongside elite CB Sauce Gardner.
39. Las Vegas Raiders - Jaxon Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Quarterback! The Las Vegas Raiders take Jaxon Dart at the top of the second round in this NFL mock draft. I could see the Raiders running it back in 2025 with Aidan O’Connell under center and them also having a rookie QB in the room as well. Heck, if the Raiders were to hire Pete Carroll to be their head coach, I really would not rule out them pursing Russell Wilson in free agency of all people.
The Raiders have to get something going with the QB room. They take Jaxon Dart and begin laying the framework for a long-term solution.
40. New Orleans Saints - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Two picks along the defensive front, the New Orleans Saints are beefing-up the trenches, which is a wise idea. Kenneth Grant joins Mason Graham as the two talented Michigan defensive tackles to be take in this NFL mock draft. With no viable QB to take in sight, the Saints continue their trench work.
This team is also in need of a new head coach, as they fired Dennis Allen a while back in a movie that just needed to happen. The Saints are also again in a tough cap situation, so we’ll see how that shakes out this coming offseason.
41. Chicago Bears - Emery Jones, OT, LSU
The Chicago Bears added a talented guard in the first round in Tyler Booker and will now add another talented lineman in Emery Jones from LSU. The Bears simply need to get more OL help, but Caleb Williams already being a QB that takes sacks too much is an issue. Williams is honestly a lot like Russell Wilson in this regard in that both QBs can be outstanding outside of structure, but they often hold onto the ball for too long.
Regardless, the Bears need to take this approach, so we mocked Emery Jones from LSU to Chicago. Could this be a strong foundation for the long-term?
42. Chicago Bears - Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami (FL)
Another second-round pick for the Chicago Bears seems them taking Xavier Restrepo from Miami (FL) at pick 42. If the Bears can hammer away at the offensive line, they can go and load up on some weapons after that. Chicago does have a stout defense but could probably use another rusher, so you may disagree with this pick and mock a pass rusher to Chicago at pick 42.
We’ll go with a heavy focus on the offense, and with Caleb Williams entering a crucial year two in the NFL, that surely is not a bad idea at all.
43. San Francisco 49ers - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
With current ILB Dre Greenlaw set to hit free agency in 2025, the San Francisco 49ers may want to grab a new one to pair with Fred Warner. I truly do not believe the Niners will bring Greenlaw back, so replacing him with Jihaad Campbell could be a huge boost to their defense. Getting a CB in the first round was a nice pick, and they continue adding to their defense with Campbell.
Some offensive line help is needed for the 49ers, though.
44. Dallas Cowboys - Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Taking a running back in the first round was such a Dallas Cowboys move. They now take a pass rusher in Shemar Stewart in the second round. Depending on how you slice it, Dallas could try and run it back with some key additions or even more of a rebuilding approach. The way it’s feeling right now is the Cowboys will run it back and hope Dak Prescott can come back into the lineup and be efficient. Adding some help at RB and now along the defensive front could make Dallas more formidable in 2025.
But they now have to deal with the emerging Washington Commanders for the future.
45. Indianapolis Colts - Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
The Indianapolis Colts are truly focusing on hitting the key needs. They took safety Malaki Starks in the first round of this mock draft and now take tight end Mason Taylor. Not only that, but it seems like the Colts will also bring in some competition for Anthony Richardson in 2025.
The Colts do have a strong roster, and that is a testament to how solid of a drafter Chris Ballard is, but he can bring in all of these talented players from the NFL Drafts over the years if he wants, but it won’t matter if they can’t get the QB right. Ballard seems to be on his last straw, but he’s got two solid picks down in this mock draft.
46. Atlanta Falcons - Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
The Atlanta Falcons are now taking another defensive player and take Xavier Watts from Notre Dame. While the offseason is going to be about Michael Penix Jr, them shoring up the defense directly helps the offense, as they’ll be able to get off the field more frequently, which would give the offense more chances to score points.
It’s all connected, but when you look at their offense, they really do not need a while lot. The defense should be the center of attention in 2025.
47. Arizona Cardinals - Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
The Arizona Cardinals are also a team hammering away at their defense and will walk DT Deone Walker in the second round of this NFL mock draft. The Cardinals got out to a 6-4 start through 10 games in 2024, so this team is close. Adding some reinforcements along the defensive side of the ball is what this team could be missing, but I would also expect at least one notable offensive addition this offseason as well.
48. Miami Dolphins - Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Landon Jackson seeks to help out the Miami Dolphins pass rush. Both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb have had issues remaining healthy, but they did seem to find something special with Chop Robinson in the 2024 NFL Draft. They’ll continue the trend of bringing in young pass rushers and take a stab at Jackson, who plays at Arkansas.
This could be the last year that GM Chris Grier gets in Miami.
Let's close out this NFL mock draft with the final 16 picks of the second round.
49. Cincinnati Bengals - Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
The Cincinnati Bengals are prioritizing the trenches, and it’s a beautiful thing. It’s actually insane that the team missed the playoffs with just how good Joe Burrow and the offense were this year. It’s a huge indictment of how their slow starts can catch up to them and how bad the defense was.
Another massive issue that the Bengals have had is their offensive line. They have had some iOL inconsistencies outside of center Ted Karras, so the hope here is that Donovan Jackson can stabilize one of the guard spots for the long-term. The Bengals do have a solid LT in Orlando Brown Jr, a good center in Karras, and an encouraging young RT in Amarius Mims. Another starting-caliber OL could have this unit in a great spot.
50. Seattle Seahawks - Elic Ayomanor, WR, Standard
The Seattle Seahawks might see long-time WR Tyler Lockett retire this coming offseason, and it seems like DK Metcalf may have overstayed his welcome over there, so it would not shock me if Metcalf actually got traded this offseason.
This could set the stage for WR being a huge need, so while they took a tackle in the first round, they’ll grab WR Elic Ayomanor from Stanford, and he is a very solid blocker, which is an outstanding trait for any WR to have.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Two WRs picks in a row in this mock draft, and it makes sense. The Buccaneers could lose Chris Godwin in free agency, and Mike Evans is getting old, so this is a position of need. Isaiah Bond is the pick for the Bucs in the 51st slot. Very quietly, GM Jason Licht has done a marvelous job with this roster, as the Bucs really have not skipped a beat since Tom Brady retired.
Tampa seems to be taking over the NFC South.
52. Miami Dolphins (via DEN) - Josh Conerly Jr, OT, Oregon
The Miami Dolphins did get the Denver Broncos’ second-round pick due to the Broncos trading up in the first round. The Dolphins nab a tackle in Josh Conerly Jr from Oregon. The trenches are an area of emphasis for the Dolphins in this mock draft, as the team has to gain that tough edge that other AFC teams have.
They may never learn to play in the cold weather with this current group of players and coaches, but the best thing to try and be able to play in the cold is to be tough up front.
53. Pittsburgh Steelers - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Pittsburgh Steelers do have a need at the CB position and get one in Maxwell Hairston from Kentucky. Pittsburgh was able to grab Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State, so they got a viable WR. This is clearly the franchise prioritizing their needs above anything else, as WR and CB have to be their top two needs.
But them making a big splash at the QB position in 2025 is also something that would not surprise me at all.
54. New England Patriots (via CAR) - Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
The New England Patriots have another second-round pick and will now address the defensive side of the ball by taking EDGE Princely Umanmielen from Ole Miss. The Pats cannot totally neglect the defense this offseason. Even though 2025 will be about making Drake Maye work, the Pats still do have some defensive needs, so this is a wise selection. It does seem like Mike Vrabel is on his way to be their new head coach.
55. Houston Texas - Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
A former NFL linebacker himself, Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans might pound the table for some help in the middle of the defense. Barrett Carter is the selection here as the Texans look to take a sizeable step forward in 2025. They broke out in 2023, regressed a bit in 2024, and have to figure something out in 2025.
They are honestly kind of lucky the AFC South was very weak this past season. Them in their current state will not sustain success in this league.
56. Green Bay Packers - TJ Sanders, DT, South Carolina
The Green Bay Packers have another selection on the defensive side of the ball and grab TJ Sanders from South Carolina. The one position that I do think they can make a sizeable upgrade in this offseason is at the WR position. They have a ton of talent there, but they do not have a clear-cut WR1. That, to me, is a problem.
However, the Packers are looking to continue to add to their defense and bring in some support up front with Sanders.
57. Los Angeles Chargers - Tate Ratledge, OG, Georgia
After taking RB Omarion Hampton in the first round of this NFL mock draft, the Chargers grab OG Tate Ratledge from Georgia, so they are really trying to get this offense to the next level. Perhaps having the best tackle duo in the NFL with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, LA is surprisingly weak along their interior offensive line.
Ratledge and maybe even a free agency move at another iOL spot feels like a safe and logical move for them to make. GM Joe Hortiz seeks to hit on yet another OL prospect, as he hit a grand slam with Joe Alt.
58. Baltimore Ravens - Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
The Baltimore Ravens add some secondary help and grab Andrew Mukuba from Texas. It does feel like Baltimore has had a notable issue in stopping the pass at times. They have strung something special together on defense in recent weeks, and they have always been stout at stopping the run. No matter what, I would expect the Ravens to add someone notable to the secondary in the NFL offseason.
Getting a young player in the second round is a good move for the franchise.
59. Washington Commanders - Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
The Washington Commanders take RB Kaleb Johnson from Iowa. This team as we know is playing with house money in 2024 and will get to be aggressive this coming offseason in building around Jayden Daniels. The Commanders nab one of the many talented running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft class and take Johnson.
60. Philadelphia Eagles - Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Another wide receiver? Yes! Oddly enough, I would not be shocked if one of AJ Brown or DeVonta Smith got traded this coming offseason. That seems like a random thing to say, but we have seen and heard Brown get frustrated at times in Philly.
I think Howie Roseman makes a very forward-thinking move here at the bottom of the second round and grab Jalen Royals from Utah State.
61. Buffalo Bills - JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
The Buffalo Bills use their first two picks of this NFL mock draft on the defensive side of the ball and grab JT Tuimoloau from Ohio State. The Bills actually have had a flawed defense this year, as they seem to live off of the turnover, and the unit overall just is not as stout as it has been in recent years.
With Josh Allen really hitting his stride in 2024, I could see an offseason where GM Brandon Beane makes a very strong push to get as good as possible on defense.
62. Buffalo Bills - Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Another second-round pick available to them, Buffalo now takes Davison Igbinosun from Ohio State, so that’s now two picks in a row from the Buckeyes’ defense. Buffalo could use another cornerback, so I believe this to be a good fit. They have been vulnerable as a passing defense at times this year.
63. Detroit Lions - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
The Detroit Lions used their first pick on Walter Nolen, a defensive tackle, and they double-down on defense and take Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College. The team has been dealt a tough blow defensively with their injuries, and to me, it’s clear that they are more stable on offense, even if they were to lose offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to a head coaching job this coming offseason.
64. Kansas City Chiefs - Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
The two-time defending Super Bowl champions added OT Josh Simmons in the first round and will now add RB Quinshon Judkins to a roster that does need more playmaking help. The team had to bring Kareem Hunt back due to Isiah Pacheco suffering a long-term injury, and I would not rule out the Chiefs from using this pick on a WR as well.
KC has had some inconsistencies on offense since trading away Tyreek Hill and as Travis Kelce has gotten older. They have still won the last two Super Bowls, but this offensive roster is far from perfect. The additions of Josh Simmons and Quinshon Judkins in this NFL mock draft should put them on the right track.