2025 NFL Mock Draft during Scouting Combine: James Pearce Jr. leaps, Chiefs get lucky, and another running back emerges

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than two months away. Free agency looms, but this is a great time to start looking at potential prospect-team marriages for round one.  Not to mention, the NFL Scouting Combine is ongoing and affecting draft stocks daily. Without further ado, here's my second official first-round mock for the 2025 draft.  If […]

Adam Holt — NFL News Writer
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The 2025 NFL Draft is less than two months away. Free agency looms, but this is a great time to start looking at potential prospect-team marriages for round one. 

Not to mention, the NFL Scouting Combine is ongoing and affecting draft stocks daily. Without further ado, here's my second official first-round mock for the 2025 draft. 

If you don't like your team's pick, make sure to let me hear all about it on social media. If you do, also let me know that as well!

2025 NFL mock draft during Scouting Combine (February 28)

1. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

In this scenario, Tennessee finds an answer at quarterback through trade or free agency. Carter is a blue-chip prospect who would make an impact as a rookie, undoubtedly. Not to mention, Harold Landry III could be dealt this offseason, too.

2. Cleveland Browns: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

Cleveland turns the page and gets their hopeful long-term starter in Ward. His ceiling is arguably the highest of any of the projected round one QBs. 

3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

In a lot of recent mocks, the Giants have gone with a top player available mentality. This time, they take their QB of the future, who seems to already have a good relationship with Brian Daboll. 

4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

What a great scenario for New England and Drake Maye. I would expect Hunter to play both sides of the ball for the Pats and could create an awesome, young CB duo with Christian Gonzalez.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

Again, this is a pick we see a lot in mock drafts. It makes total sense, though. The Jags need to prove inside, and Graham has some of the greatest potential of any defensive player in this class. 

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

This feels like the ceiling for the large, impressive Wildcats wideout. In some recent mocks, he's dropped to the late teens or even early twenties. If that happens, it means a handful of teams overlooked an exciting offensive weapon. Think this makes sense with both top QBs off the board. 

7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Another prospect-team marriage we've seen a lot here recently. Warren is a physical freak, and I will not be shocked to see New York add a weapon for whoever is their QB in 2025 here.

8. Carolina Panthers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

This is a TWENTY pick (!!) jump for Stewart from my mock earlier this month. He dominated the NFL Scouting Combine workouts and showed off his unbelievable traits. At this point, I would be extremely surprised if he makes it out of the top 15 now. 

9. New Orleans Saints: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

I still believe Johnson will be high on New Orleans' radar come late April. If Tyler Warren or Tet McMillan are available, though, they'll also be strongly considered. Edge rusher remains on the table, too. 

10. Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Jeanty usually goes to Dallas, but this pick wont shock me, either. Ben Johnson built his offense around two dynamic RBs in Detroit, and Chicago lacks that upside at the position right now. 

11. San Francisco 49ers: Will Campbell, OL, LSU

A bit of a slide for Campbell here, but I would  understand it given the needs of teams inside the top ten. For San Fran, this is a great outcome, though. Campbell is a polished pass blocker who may play tackle or guard in the long-term in the league. 

12. Dallas Cowboys: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Some Cowboys fans will rejoice here, since I did not go running back. Walker has some incredible moments on tape, and I think he has the chance to be a game wrecker at the pro level in the right system. 

13. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Miami grabs a mountain of a man for their defensive line. Grant moves extremely well for his size and would immediately play a role on their defense as a rookie, in my opinion. 

14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Starks has moved up and down mocks over the course of the past few months. Sometimes, he goes top twelve. Other times, he just sneaks in round one. With Tyler Warren off the board, safety will definitely be in play for Indy here.

15. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

This is a nice rise for the dynamic pass rusher after his unbelievable output at the Combine for the Vols product. You usually see him at the tail end of round one in recent mocks, but it is hard to see that sort of fall now. ATL desperately needs more talent off the edge, too.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Big swing here for Arizona again. Williams is a physical outlier, who played through injury last season at Georgia. Still think he will go in round one, without top-end production. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss

Cincy grabs a dynamic, physical threat on the DL in Nolen. His pass rush upside is very fun to think about, and the Bengals simply need bodies along their defensive line. 

18. Seattle Seahawks: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

Membou could certainly play tackle in his pro future, but I also like the safety of him inside. For Seattle, addressing the offensive line is a non-negotiable for this offseason. Membou can start in year one for them. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Barron lives and breathes football. His interviews at the Combine were impressive, and he plays with grit that I think Todd Bowles may value. Slot defender is where he projects at the NFL level, and that spot's impact has increased in value in recent years. 

20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Here's a cool one. Denver needs more talent at RB, and Sean Payton won't be afraid to take this swing. Hampton's power and elusiveness are a unique blend for a running back that is not always included in round one. Fun pick here.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

I may be higher on Egbuka than others, but there are just minimal flaws in his game. Leading the Buckeyes in receiving production for a career is very notable, and he's a smooth athlete at every level of the football field. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Death, taxes, offensive weapon to the Chargers. Won't be surprised if LA takes a tight end or WR here. In this scenario, Jim Harbaugh reunites with an awesome athlete for the TE position. The need is clear. 

23. Green Bay Packers: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

Banks is a great mover, and Green Bay usually values that in the trenches. They also have notable needs on defense, but this value was simply too good for the Packers. 

24. Minnesota Vikings: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon

Interior defensive line is a notable need for Minnesota, and Harmon's Combine performance showed his unique athleticism for his size. Great fit for Brian Flores' defense, too.

25. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

C.J. Stroud ran for his life at times last season for Houston. Booker is a plug and play option inside, who was held in extremely high regard with the Tide. Wide receiver was a strong consideration here as well.

26. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Conerly Jr., OT Oregon

Conerly could go in the top fifteen, and I would not be shocked. Here, he falls to a playoff team looking for tackle help. LA just extended Matthew Stafford. Now, they add a potential stalwart tackle in front of him.

27. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Green's explosiveness and bend will really excite some teams. He produced at a high level in 2024 but will have a major adjustment to be made at the pro level when it comes to competition. Regardless, the Ravens need more talent off the edge quite badly. 

28. Detroit Lions: Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Thomas has consistently garnered intrigue over the past month. He's a physical DB, who matches intensity for a Dan Campbell team. This fills a need for Detroit's defense, but it's also a personality match for the Lions and the former Seminole CB. 

29. Washington Commanders: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Dan Quinn simply grabs one of the most gifted players left on the board. Emmanwori will be moved around on defense, if given the correct opportunity at the NFL level. He's a riser in this class around the voices of the pros. 

30. Buffalo Bills: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, ECU

The cornerback position has not been a strength over the past two years in Buffalo. Their depth has struggled when injuries arise, and Revel Jr. has a "traitsy" build and skillset. Getting early and often reps for the Bills would be helpful for his development. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

This is quite the break for KC. Simmons is one of the most talented OL prospects in this class, for my money. That being said, he's coming off a serious, season-ending leg injury last season. His range feels like anywhere from top twelve to early round two right now. 

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

It remains to be seen how big of a need edge rusher is for Philly, due to their impending free agents and aggressiveness there. Regardless, Sawyer is a high floor defender who could make sense for Howie Roseman late in round one. 

Let me know how you feel about your team's pick. Twitter: @Bolt_Holt

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