2025 NFL Mock Draft: The Shedeur Sanders vs Cameron Ward debate continues, Malaki Starks falls, and a surprise with the 1st pick
Don’t blink, the 2025 NFL Draft will officially be upon us before you know it. The NFL playoffs have officially begun, and the College Football national championship is just a few days away. Soon we will be talking about the future of the NFL, and all the tremendous prospects the 2025 class has to offer. […]
Don’t blink, the 2025 NFL Draft will officially be upon us before you know it. The NFL playoffs have officially begun, and the College Football national championship is just a few days away. Soon we will be talking about the future of the NFL, and all the tremendous prospects the 2025 class has to offer.
To continue giving you some insight into the class, this mock draft was created to give you all a deeper understanding for who your favorite team could value. It’s important to understand team needs, scheme fits, and the positional value and depth the class can bring. That’s the point of mock drafts.
It is also important to understand that I don’t hate your favorite team, contrary to popular belief. The draft order is simply what it would be if the season ended today. This mock also isn’t overly predictive. We have free agency, and a trade market in front of us, so the needs for each team will change.
Here is the latest first round mock draft. Let’s rebuild some rosters.
1. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Can the Tennessee Titans afford to pass on a quarterback? They can if there isn’t a signal caller on the board they believe in. Instead, they opt for Carter, who has an argument as one of the best pass rush prospects to come out over the last couple of years, and has more upside to tap into.
2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
With the Browns having the choice between which quarterback they want, they eventually opt for the floor. Sanders is very accurate, and mostly a clean processor. The ceiling may not be anything special, but Sanders is the closest thing to a sure thing in this quarterback class.
3. New York Giants: Cameron Ward, QB, Miami
If Sanders is the floor, then Ward is definitely the ceiling. The former Hurricane star is a gunslinger who can make so many eye popping plays outside of structure. Ward is going to take chances, and will have fans on their edge of their seats, for better or for worse.
4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Patriots have holes at wide receiver and cornerback. It just so happens that Hunter can play either spot, and is also the best player available. It’s a pretty easy selection.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
A new era in Jacksonville is about to begin, and they have several key areas that are major needs on this roster. One of the biggest is at cornerback, where they need Tyson Campbell to get back to the best version of himself, and to find a legitimate difference maker on the outside. That’s where Johnson comes in.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Raiders have found a star in tight end Brock Bowers, but they need to find some playmakers at wide receiver to pair with him. While McMillan isn’t the fastest wide receiver of all time, he has a tremendous catch radius and makes plays at its highest point. He is an ideal possession receiver in the boundary.
7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
You could make an argument that Graham is the best overall player in the class, and it would be an understandable perspective. At 6-3 and 320 pounds, Graham possesses outstanding strength, and some untapped penetration upside. Putting him next to Quinnen Williams feels pretty unfair.
8. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
After trading Brian Burns last offseason, the Panthers are in need of some major pass rush help. Pearce didn’t take the step forward that many envisioned in 2024, but he is still a dynamic pass rusher. With twitch, bend, and closing speed, Pearce has the talent to become a perennial Pro Bowler.
9. New Orleans Saints: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
The leading wide receiver for the Saints this season was Chris Olave, who had just 32 receptions for 400 yards. The wide receiver group needs to get more dynamic, and create some chunk plays after the catch. Burden is a space dynamo who can be a quarterback's best friend.
10. Chicago Bears: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Braxton Jones has been a good find at left tackle for where he was selected a couple of years ago, but upgrades can be made on the blindside as well. There is no more gifted pass protector in this class than Simmons. If not for the injury this season, most mocks would have him in a similar slot.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The 49ers need to find some help up front for pass rush dynamo Nick Bosa. From a talent perspective, Williams has everything you would want at the position. Being able to learn from someone like Bosa would also be huge.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Rinse and repeat. Jeanty to Dallas just makes so much sense. The Boise State product is the best running back to come out since Bijan Robinson, and possibly even before that. He would bring a dynamic three-down threat that the Cowboys lack right now.
13. Miami Dolphins: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Whether Campbell ends at offensive tackle or moving inside, he is a huge upgrade at either spot for the Dolphins. His arm length will be the main talking point, but his technical prowess, power, and consistency rule the day. Campbell could upgrade multiple positions for Miami.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
It’s been a long time since the Colts have had a difference maker at tight end. It is, however, a little too simple to just call Warren a tight end. He’s a pass game weapon at around 6-6 and 260 pounds, who can line up and make big plays everywhere.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
The Falcons have a desperate need to improve the team’s pass rush. Whether it’s as a subpackage rusher, or bringing pressure from the second level, Walker is a versatile player who can do a lot for a defense. The Bulldogs are able to keep him in the state of Georgia.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, ECU
If you like long cover corners with unreal athleticism, then Revel is just the player for you. He was injured earlier this year so the hype has died slightly, but not for the NFL. There is a lot of Antonio Cromartie in Revel’s game, possessing Pro Bowl upside.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Quite simply, the Bengals need to get better on defense anyway they can. In this scenario, Starks somehow falls to them. The Georgia safety is one of the best overall defenders in the class, bringing outstanding range and instincts to the table.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
There is a huge hole at right tackle for the Seahawks, and Banks could fill it immediately. The Longhorn star fits the prototype for what Seattle likes, physical, heavy hands, and relentless. Banks is one of the best overall run blockers in the class.
19. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Quarterback Bo Nix put together a tremendous rookie season, so building around him will be the point of emphasis this offseason. Loveland is a super smooth pass catcher that has the talent to dominate the middle of the field. The Michigan star could end up being Nix’s best friend as the Broncos continue to build a consistent winner.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
There are two key areas that this Buccaneer defender needs: cornerbacks and pass rush. Scourton held some bad weight on his frame this year, but he is still an outrageously powerful pass rusher. His ability to create speed to power is something to behold.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Steelers need to find some wide receivers who can separate quickly. They have George Pickens as the dominant outside pass catcher, but nobody who can thrive out of the slot and make plays after the chance. Egbuka brings that needed skill set to the position.
22. Green Bay Packers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Kenny Clark is an outstanding player on the interior Green Bay, but he needs help. When Grant is locked in and playing his best, he is an exceptional talent. At 6-3 and 339 pounds, Grant is a gifted mover with some unique upset as a penetrator from the nose position.
23. Los Angeles Chargers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
With Poona Ford and Otito Ogbonnia starting inside for the Chargers, you should expect the team to try to upgrade that group this offseason. After beginning his career with Michigan State, Harmon has reshaped his body and taken his game to a whole other level. His body type and athletic skill set should be able to allow him to play from multiple alignments.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Hairston is one of the best kept secrets in the 2025 class, especially with him missing some time this season. From an overall athleticism and ball skills perspective, you won’t find many better. There’s a lot to love about the former Kentucky star.
25. Houston Texans: Shemar Stewart, DT, Texas A&M
Is Stewart best on the EDGE or on the interior? Maybe a little of both? Possessing a tremendous frame, unreal athleticism and rare power, Stewart has the talent to become a playmaker up and down the line of scrimmage.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Rams cornerback group has been better down the stretch of the season, but there still aren’t a lot of long term answers. Barron proved in the 2024 season that he can thrive on the outside in a specific system. He also has the tenacity, instincts, and physicality to excel from in the slot as well.
27. Washington Commanders: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
The Commanders need upgrades at both offensive tackle spots, and quickly. Ersery is a massive blocker at 6-6 and 338 pounds with incredible power, and good lateral mobility. He isn’t the cleanest pass protector of all time but it should be good enough for Ersery to stick outside.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
If his head is on straight and focused, you won’t find many more talented pass rushers than Umanmielen. He’s twitched up, explosive, loose, and consistently wins around the track. There really is no hole in Umanmielen’s game as a pass rusher.
29. Buffalo Bills: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The days of Von Miller are running out, and the Bills will need to find some pass rush help to consistently threaten the outside shoulder. Green isn’t a perfect prospect, and has limited upside against the run, but he’s a dynamite pass rush prospect.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Mekhi Becton has played tremendously at right guard this season, but isn’t under contract past this year. If the Eagles let him walk, someone like Booker would be an easy fit. He is an insanely powerful blocker at 6-5 and 325 pounds, with easy upside as a plus starter.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
The Chiefs drafted Kingsley Suamataia last draft to try to find their long term answer at left tackle, but unfortunately, he struggled mightily. If they don’t want to continue that experience then the position could very well be on the table again. Conerly has a lot of warts, but he is also a gifted athlete with length for days.
32. Detroit Lions: Jonah Savaiinaea, IOL, Arizona
Imagine seeing Savaiinaea playing next to right tackle Penei Sewell, and now let’s make it a reality. The Lions could need answers at both guard spots in the near future, and Savaiinaea brings Pro Bowl upside inside. He also has some upside at offensive tackle long term.