2025 NFL Mock Draft: Shedeur Sanders suffers massive fall, the James Pearce Jr. overthink ends, and other sensical moves
The 2025 NFL Draft class is only a few weeks away. That means that most mock drafts are going to be from a predictive standpoint. That perspective, however, can be a bit flawed. Even when analysts end up trying to predict the final product, they rarely end up being correct. Instead, let's talk about what […]
The 2025 NFL Draft class is only a few weeks away. That means that most mock drafts are going to be from a predictive standpoint. That perspective, however, can be a bit flawed. Even when analysts end up trying to predict the final product, they rarely end up being correct. Instead, let's talk about what each team should do.
Throw out the predictive nature. This is what I would do if I were the general manager of each franchise. Let's call it the "Sensical" 2025 NFL Mock Draft, and the only initiative is to try and make each organization better.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB Miami
It has been a while since the Titans had a true franchise quarterback. Some will debate between making that plunge with a boom or bust player like Ward compared to a blue chipper at a different spot. Until you have a quarterback, you have no future. Ward offers outstanding upside with superb tools.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE Penn State
To quarterback or not to quarterback, that is the question. Carter is a dynamic defensive player who began his career as a linebacker for Penn State. He is just too good of a player to pass up here, especially to pair him with fellow pass rusher Myles Garrett.
3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR Colorado
The Giants have needs at both wide receiver and cornerback. It is a good thing that Hunter can play either, and at a very high level. This is a team that needs to win some games in 2025 for general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll to preserve their jobs. That makes taking the best player available the right strategy.
4. New England Patriots: Mason Graham, DT Michigan
When you are a team with so many needs, prioritizing always taking good football players is never a bad thing. Graham might not be the biggest need on the table for the Patriots, but his impact in the run and pass game is unquestionable. He is a gamewrecker inside.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyler Warren, TE Penn State
Some people will argue this is too early for a tight end, but in this class, there just aren't a ton of blue chippers at the top. Warren would provide quarterback Trevor Lawrence with a massive body in the middle of the field. He is an extremely powerful athlete who can be a lot to handle.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State
Regardless of positional value, Jeanty is one of the five best players in the 2025 class. He is an all around weapon that can affect the game in so many ways. The real question is, what isn't Jeanty good at?
7. New York Jets: Josh Simmons, OT Ohio State
If Simmons was fully healthy, he would be considered a no doubt top ten player right now. When he is at full health, Simmons is the best blindside protector in this entire class. A team is probably going to get a bargain with Simmons, but the Jets get their bookend to go along with Olu Fashanu.
8. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE Tennessee
There are a lot of character concerns around Pearce, but the talent is undeniable. If his head is screwed on straight, Pearce has a chance to be one of the very best pass rushers in the NFL. His combination of length, explosiveness, and bend is special.
9. New Orleans Saints: Will Johnson, CB Michigan
Why have we all forgotten about Will Johnson? Did we really get bored of a big cornerback with incredible hip fluidity and instincts? The Saints find value for a cornerback room that needs a talent injection.
10. Miami Dolphins (TRADE): Will Campbell, OT LSU
With one offensive lineman already off the board, the Dolphins make a decision to trade up and secure Campbell. There is going to be a debate about whether Campbell fits best at offensive tackle or inside at guard long term. The good news is that the Dolphins need answers at both.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE Texas A&M
Stewart is a big gamble, but the upside is insane. Learning from Nick Bosa would be a huge help as Stewart continues to get comfortable. In this class, I am more than okay with selecting a toolsy upside selection at this spot.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Luther Burden III, WR Missouri
The Cowboys need to find more playmakers on offense aside from wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Burden is a dynamic space weapon that will work mostly out of the slot. He has a propensity to make some big plays, and his game is similar to former Detroit Lions star Golden Tate.
13. Chicago Bears (TRADE): Derrick Harmon, DT Oregon
After the Bears traded back, they ended up landing Harmon. After playing mostly nose tackle for Michigan State previously, Harmon was asked to play a more attack style at Oregon at a lighter weight. He brings even more untapped upside to the table.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S Georgia
Starks has been a name people have known for some time, and have gotten bored with. He also didn't play the role best for his skill set as a slot defender in 2024. When asked to make plays working from depth, Starks is special.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE Georgia
From a talent perspective, Williams has everything you want in an EDGE defender. His production does not quite match his tools right now, but Williams is a high floor run defender. Hopefully his pass rush skills are able to take a step with time and coaching.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DT Michigan
Grant is a massive defensive tackle who is extremely difficult to move at the point of attack. He also has some very unique movement skills that provide some penetration upside. The upside for Grant is immense.
Best player comps for Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, and the rest of the 2025 NFL Draft RB class
Best player comparisons for the 2025 running back class
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shavon Revel Jr., CB ECU
With the injury Revel sustained this season, there are some that have completely forgotten how good he is. His combination of length, hip fluidity, and long speed is extremely impressive. Revel is very reminiscent of former Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Armand Membou, OT Missouri
The Seahawks have needs at both right tackle and offensive guard on the offensive line. Membou is a player who can fit both roles, and potentially excel pretty early on. He is a very impressive athlete at 6-4 and 331 pounds.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB Alabama
Lavonte David is heading to the twilight of his career, and the Buccaneers don't have another difference maker on the second level. Campbell brings an impressive combination of size, length, and athleticism that can help a ton of roles for the Tampa Bay defense.
20. Denver Broncos: Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona
McMillan is a good player, but the hype is a little bit over the top. He is going to be a high end WR2 on the next level, but the lack of separation might limit his overall upside. The size, catch radius, and ball skills he brings to the table make him a very unique part of a passing attack.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado
Aaron Rodgers… Sharon Dodgers. The Steelers are the type of organization that can afford to draft a younger quarterback in the back end of Round One, and let them sit for some time. The Sanders slide finally comes to an end, and he lands in a spot that prioritizes being accurate and safe with the football. It could be a perfect fit.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
The relationship between Loveland and head coach Jim Harbaugh is well-documented at this point. When healthy, Loveland is a dynamic athlete and route runner. He creates a lot of easy separation for his quarterback.
23. Green Bay Packers: Tyleik Williams, DT Ohio State
Why does nobody talk about Williams? He is the best run defender of any defensive tackle in this class. Williams plays with such natural power, consistent hands, and anchor at the point of attack.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S South Carolina
There is no fit that I like more than pairing Emannwori with Harrison Smith. He has the chance to learn from one of the best safeties in the NFL, but also brings a unique profile to the table. Emmanwori is a massive safety that can bring a lot to a team in terms of physicality and movement skills.
25. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, OG Alabama
The Texans need to get better on the offensive line in the worst case possible. Booker is a massive human who wants to play a violent style. There is more work to be done, but Booker immediately raises the floor for the room.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Jahdae Barron, CB Texas
From an experience level, Barron has spent a lot of time in the slot. He spent the entirety of the 2024 season on the outside for the Longhorns. That versatility he brings to the table is something teams love, possessing nice short area quickness, physicality, and instincts.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Jalon Walker, EDGE Georgia
Walker is going to end up going inside the top ten selections more than likely, but should he? There is a conversation that needs to be had about fit, and whether Walker is too much of a tweener. In the best case scenario, he becomes a Haason Reddick type of pass rusher for a creative defense.
28. Detroit Lions: Kelvin Banks Jr., OG Texas
Banks has upside at offensive tackle on the next level, but he also has clear upside inside at guard as well. He could immediately provide a physical presence inside for the Lions. This team wants to exert their will on the opponent, and Banks brings that to the table.
29. Washington Commanders: Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State
Quarterback Jayden Daniels is one of the biggest stars in the NFL. Continuing to put talent around Daniels is a huge must. Egbuka isn't the best athlete in the wide receiver class, but he is the most dependable and consistent from his slot position.
30. Buffalo Bills: Azareye'h Thomas, CB Florida State
The Bills locked up Christian Benford for the forseeable future, but they still need a second cornerback to add to that room. Thomas is a physical press man cornebrack with surprising hip fluidity. He is still one of the more underrated defensive backs in this class.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Donovan Jackson, OT/OG Ohio State
The Chiefs need a left tackle in the worst way possible, and Jackson can play it. He also brings an extremely high floor to the table, and can be a good starting inside at guard if nothing else. Jackson can allow for the best five to get on the field at all times.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Darius Alexander, DT Toledo
The last player that the Eagles drafted a player from Toledo, it ended up going pretty well. Alexander has been a steady riser in this class, and just brings less questions than a couple of defensive tackles with larger fanfare. His floor is very high.
