2025 NFL Two-Round Mock Draft: Defense dominates the AFC East, Drew Allar crashes the quarterback party
The 2024 college football season has ended, and we are officially onto the postseason. That means, however, that draft season is now full steam ahead. Declarations are being announced daily and players are getting invites to the various NFL Draft Bowl events. To celebrate reaching this stage (and for all of us making it through […]
The 2024 college football season has ended, and we are officially onto the postseason. That means, however, that draft season is now full steam ahead. Declarations are being announced daily and players are getting invites to the various NFL Draft Bowl events.
To celebrate reaching this stage (and for all of us making it through an insane 2024 season), let's dive into a two-round mock draft.
#1. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Raiders' experiment of trying Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell backfired in a big way and the general feeling around the building is depressing, to say the least.
Want to inject a breath of fresh air into the building? Take the top quarterback in this year's draft in Shedeur Sanders. He has some concerns, but there's no better combination of accuracy, processing, arm talent, and pocket movement in this year's class.
#2. New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
The Giants don't get Sanders, but they add another talented, albeit inconsistent, quarterback. Cam Ward has his warts, but he's a gifted passer who should add a level of playmaking to the Giants' offense they haven't had in a long time.
#3. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Patriots knocked it out of the park with Drake Maye last year. He already looks like the best rookie quarterback we've seen in some time. Now, they have to continue fixing the team around him.
Travis Hunter is the best player in the 2025 NFL Draft and is one of the greatest talents to enter the draft in recent memory. He can play both cornerback and wide receiver for the Patriots. The thought of pairing Christian Gonzalez with Hunter is a highly appealing one, especially given that they have to contain Buffalo and Miami's offenses throughout the season.
#4. Carolina Panthers: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Panthers currently have you, dear reader, and myself rushing the passer. That's probably not an effective solution for the team if they want to be serious about competing in the near future.
Abdul Carter is a freak of nature whose game has gotten better and better every game this season. He'll draw plenty of Micah Parsons comparisons and they're not too far-fetched.
#5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Truthfully the Jaguars could go with a different Michigan player here, but I'm pretty concerned about their secondary. Rookie Jarrian Jones has been a quality slot corner, but their play on the outside has largely been disappointing. Tyson Campbell has struggled to stay healthy and Ronald Darby is a free agent after next season.
Will Johnson is an elite playmaker in his own right. While I'm not sure what Jacksonville's scheme will be next year, Johnson fits into any scheme and would improve the secondary in a big way.
#6. Tennessee Titans: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
If there was a real quarterback to consider here, I'd put one here, given Will Levis's penchant for turning himself into a meme instead of a franchise quarterback. Alas, there isn't.
Treylon Burks has likely played his last snap with the team, while Tyler Boyd and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are pending free agents. This way, the Titans can spend their money elsewhere and continue to surround Will Levis with talent while they evaluate his long-term ability. Tetairoa McMillan is an awesome wide receiver prospect who can be a long-term building block for an NFL offense.
#7. New York Jets: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Aaron Rodgers is all but gone in the new year and the Jets can save $35 million in cap space by cutting his buddies Davante Adams and Allen Lazard.
That would leave the team stuck with Garrett Wilson and Xavier Gipson as their top two options, with little behind them. No quarterback is going to succeed in those conditions. Add a real playmaker to this offense in Luther Burden III.
#8. Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Cleveland has other needs, no doubt, especially at quarterback. However, they have always been a team that prefers taking the best player available no matter what, and in this scenario, that's 110% Mason Graham.
He is as disruptive a defensive tackle as we have seen enter the draft in recent memory and has a serious case as the best player in this class. Graham is a three-down caliber defensive tackle who has the tools and technique to be a game-wrecker virtually right away.
Pairing him with Myles Garrett, Mike Hall Jr., and Obo Okoronkwo? Good luck blocking that for four quarters.
#9. Chicago Bears: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
I could go a few ways here for the Bears, but the talent pool isn't really matching their needs here. However, they could stand to add more to their pass rush.
Mykel Williams is raw, but the traits are undeniable. He's 6'5, 265 pounds with nearly 36-inch arms and he knows how to use his frame, especially in the run game.
#10. New Orleans Saints: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Saints' pass rush has tanked this season. With Cam Jordan getting older and older, the rest of the room has yet to pick up the slack. New Orleans sits 28th in pressure rate and 25th in sack rate. To make matters worse, Chase Young, Payton Turner, and Tanoh Kpassagnon are all pending free agents, and the Saints will need to make cap sacrifices somewhere.
Shemar Stewart fits the mold the Saints typically target with his massive 290-pound frame and his explosive movement skills.
#11. Cincinnati Bengals: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Watching the Bengals' pass rush this season has been pretty disappointing. It's entirely been driven by Trey Hendrickson, as high draft picks Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai haven't panned out. To make matters worse, Hendrickson has just one year left on his deal. If he leaves and the Bengals haven't fixed it by then, it could get ugly.
Nic Scourton has to fix his body but his quickness mixed with the power he added this season, he has the potential to be a terrific pass rusher at the NFL level.
#12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This might get some flak considering Rico Dowdle's performance on Monday night, but can anyone honestly not imagine the Cowboys sprinting to send this pick in? Ashton Jeanty is worth it.
#13. Miami Dolphins: Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU
The Dolphins can snag a falling Will Campbell, who has a case as the best offensive lineman in this class.
Whether he's at tackle or guard in the NFL, he's a terrific technician, leader, and tone-setter who can immediately improve an offensive line at the next level. Miami has needs on defense, but it's hard to pass up on a clear boost to such a poor unit.
#14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia
It's time the Colts took their secondary seriously after neglecting the group too often.
Malaki Starks is one of the best pure talents in this class who can do it all on the field. He's, quite frankly, one of the easiest evaluations in this class. Add on to that his young age (just 21 years old) and he's a no-brainer top player in this class.
#15. Atlanta Falcons: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
We all saw the Falcons' secondary against the Vikings, right?
Revel's injury doesn't worry me, considering how early in the season it was and how quality his film is. With the depth of this defensive back class dropping off early, the Falcons wisely scoop up the best corner left.
#16. Arizona Cardinals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
I know the focus has mainly been on the edge rushers, but the interior of the Cardinals' defensive line is in similar dire straits. The Cardinals' defensive line is second-to-last in pressure rate and 28th in sacks per game.
Derrick Harmon has been a fast riser this season, for good reason. His outstanding quickness, length, and power have made a disruptive force for the Ducks this season, and his play has been pivotal to Oregon being the #1 team in the country.
#17. San Francisco 49ers: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
It feels like the 49ers need a real threat on the interior of their defensive line every season, and every season they have ignored it. No longer.
Tyleik Williams is a tremendous run-defender with jaw-dropping power, IQ, pad level, and hands. Williams handling the dirty work for so long has been pivotal to the Buckeyes' defense becoming one of the best in the country and has freed up other players to feast in pass-rush situations. He can be a terrific one-technique very quickly at the next level.
#18. Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
This might be a pick out of left field, but bear with me on it for a second. In the last two drafts, the Rams have tried their absolute hardest to move up to draft Dalton Kincaid and Brock Bowers. It's evident they want to find a dynamic player at tight end.
Enter Tyler Warren, who has been a do-it-all playmaker for the Nittany Lions. It's not hyperbole to say he was their entire receiving corps (and part of their passing offense) this season as they pushed for a playoff spot.
#19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The Buccaneers' pass rush has been carried pretty heavily by the duo of NT Vita Vea and second-year player YaYa Diaby. With Anthony Nelson and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka set to be free agents, it's time the Bucs added some serious juice to their pass rush.
I'm not quite certain what I would do with Jalon Walker, but his athleticism and intelligence make him a Day one starter. I feel confident Todd Bowles could maximize his ability to play all over the formation.
#20. Washington Commanders: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Dorance Armstrong has been a steady, reliable pass rusher for Washington under Dan Quinn, but the unit lacks depth and needs another dynamic presence to take it to the next level.
James Pearce has elite quickness and length and pairs them with a good array of pass-rush moves to make him a disruptive pass rusher. His ability on run downs is a tough question to navigate, but it's hard to deny his gifts as a rusher.
#21. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
It feels lazy for sure, given the Harbaugh-Michigan ties, but the Chargers desperately need more playmakers on offense. Colston Loveland is a tremendously talented receiver that the Chargers can move around all over the formation. Think of how Greg Roman utilized Mark Andrews with the Ravens and you can imagine how this pick would go.
#22. Denver Broncos: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Broncos' offensive line has been tremendous this season, but they have a tough decision to make regarding Garett Bolles' free-agent status. He's already 32 and will be 33 at the end of the season, but he's been a reliable blindside blocker for the team this season.
Whether or not Denver keeps Bolles for the 2025 season, Kelvin Banks can be the long-term solution at their left tackle position.
#23. Seattle Seahawks: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Seahawks' defense has turned it around in recent weeks, but I'd like to see them continue the improvement of their linebacking corps. Ernest Jones has been tremendous for the team but is a pending free agent. Who knows how that will go, given that the team chose not to extend Jordyn Brooks last year.
Jihaad Campbell has shot up draft boards with his freakish athleticism for his 6'3, 244-pound frame. He's a capable do-it-all 'backer who can carry vertical routes just as easily as he can scrape across the formation in pursuit of a ball carrier.
#24. Baltimore Ravens: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
I feel like I've been sending a wide receiver to the Ravens in a mock draft for years, but it's still not a position I'd label as a strength for Baltimore. Zay Flowers is obviously electric and Rashod Bateman is better than his production, but this team has nobody beyond them and they desperately need someone who can stretch the field.
Isaiah Bond is as easy a separator as you'll find in this draft class and his vertical speed would open things up for Flowers underneath.
#25. Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
I'm switching it up for Houston this time after addressing the offensive line in my previous mocks. The Texans' wide receiver, a once-promising unit, has fallen off as the season has gone on. Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending injury and the whole unit has battled injuries and inconsistent play. To make matters worse, Diggs and Robert Woods are pending free agents.
Pair Stroud with a high-floor target he already has tremendous chemistry with Emeka Egbuka to take some of the attention away from Nico Collins.
#26. Green Bay Packers: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
I think it's fair to start a panic button about the Packers' pass rush. Rashan Gary leads the team with 34 pressures, and Green Bay only has one player with more than 20 pressures. First-rounder Lukas Van Ness hasn't panned out, and they've been forced to manufacture pass rush by blitzing more often than I'd imagine they wanted to entering the season.
Jackson is a quietly effective pass rusher, blending physicality with surprising quickness and agility. He's no slouch as a technician either, boasting a wide array of pass-rush moves he can throw at opposing tackles.
#27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Listen, I don't personally think Allar should go in the first round, but I'm confident that he will. Someone will gamble on the tools he has as a passer.
It's safe to say the Justin Fields experiment didn't work out for Pittsburgh. Russell Wilson has had a resurgence this season, but he'll be 37 when the season ends and is a pending free agent. The team needs a long-term solution under center.
#28. Minnesota Vikings: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
I've been a fan of what the Vikings have been able to manufacture in their secondary, as they've made some astute free agent decisions throughout their defense. However, multiple corners are set to hit free agency, and the team needs to get younger (and cheaper).
Hairston missed most of 2024 with an injury, but multiple scouts I spoke to said they preferred him over teammate Andru Phillips last season and it's easy to see why. He's incredibly fluid and possesses great length and twitch. Pair that with elite ball skills (third in the country in interceptions in 2023) and it's no surprise Hairston is in first-round conversations even with the injury.
#29. Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
I could have gone pass rusher here for the Bills, but fortunately, the best player on my board just happens to fill a need for the team. Kenneth Grant is a ready-made one-technique with his size, power, and athleticism. He can anchor and hold the point of attack against double teams with ease. Grant is more than just a run stuffer, however, as he is surprisingly nimble for his size, suggesting some potential upside as a pass rusher.
#30. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The Eagles lost pass rusher Brandon Graham to a season-ending pec injury Sunday night against the Rams. Both Graham and Josh Sweat are set to hit free agents, as well as pseudo-linebacker Zach Baun. With Bryce Huff battling his own injury and not producing worth his contract, the Eagles' pass rush feels pretty close to falling apart after this season.
At this point of the first round, teams are going to be looking for traits in their pass rush room. Green fits the Eagles' mold of undersized but nimble pass rushers.
#31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Chiefs have thrown multiple draft picks at their left tackle position in recent years. They've gone so poorly that the team had to sign D.J. Humphries off the street and he was cheered when he entered the game.
Josh Simmons suffered an ACL tear early in the season, but before that, he was on track to potentially be the first offensive tackle taken. This could be a steal for the Chiefs down the line.
#32. Detroit Lions: Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue
I've given the Lions a pass rusher in every mock, but I feel like switching it up for this one. Both guards, Graham Glasgow and Kevin Zeitler, are pending free agents and center Frank Ragnow has battled some intense injuries that sparked retirement speculation over the offseason.
Fortunately, Mbow can play all three positions. He possesses tremendous movement skills with his explosiveness and I've fallen in love with his accurate, strong hands. I've seen him projected to play at tackle, guard, and center. Let the best line in the NFL sort out where he should play, just put him in that environment and reap the benefits.
Round Two
33. New York Giants: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
34. Las Vegas Raiders: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Christian Wilkins' unfortunate injury sapped the interior of the Raiders' defense of some much-needed playmaking, but the rest of that room is old and set to hit free agency. Splash in a talented albeit inconsistent disruptor in Walter Nolen to help rejuvenate Las Vegas's front.
35. Chicago Bears: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia
#36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
#37. Tennessee Titans: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
#38. New York Jets: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
#39. Cleveland Browns: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
#40. New England Patriots: Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
The reigning Bronko Nagurski award winner for best defensive player in college football, Kyle Kennard slides right into a New England defense searching for a boost to their pass rush. His quickness, motor, vast array of pass-rush moves, and length will make him an instant impact player for the Patriots.
#41. Chicago Bears: Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
#42. Cincinnati Bengals: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
#43. Dallas Cowboys: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
#44. New Orleans Saints: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
#45. Indianapolis Colts: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
The Colts' defensive rebuild continues, this time adding to their cornerback room. Am I investing more than the team probably will? Yes, for sure. That's part of why the Colts' defense looks like it has throughout the season. Trey Amos is a long, physical corner who is aggressive at the catch point.
#46. Atlanta Falcons: Nick Emmanwori, SAF, South Carolina
#47. Arizona Cardinals: Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
#48. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
#49. Miami Dolphins: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
#50. Carolina Panthers (via LAR): Xavier Watts, SAF, Notre Dame
#51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
I was hoping to nab a safety here, but the board just didn't fall that way. Instead, I'll attack another area of weakness with their linebacker room. The Buccaneers desperately need a player here who can operate in space, especially as doubts continue about Lavonte David's future with the team.
#52. Los Angeles Chargers: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
#53. Denver Broncos: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
I like what the Broncos have done with their offense this season, but if there's one thing they must improve, it's their running back room. Javonte Williams has been a large disappointment this season and is in the middle of a disastrous run of games. I think the Broncos got a steal with Audric Estime last year. Pair him with an explosive, do-it-all rusher in Singleton.
#54. Seattle Seahawks: Gunner Helm, TE, Texas
#55. Baltimore Ravens: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
#56. Washington Commanders: Mansoor Delane, CB, Virginia Tech
#57. Houston Texans: Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
#58. Green Bay Packers: Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
If you haven't gotten eyes on Thomas, do so quickly, as I expect him to be a hot riser as more people watch his film (if you didn't watch Florida State this year, I don't blame you). His press and man coverage chops make him a perfect fit for Jeff Hafley's scheme in Green Bay.
#59. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kyren Lacy, WR, LSU
#60. Buffalo Bills: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
#61. Buffalo Bills: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
The Bills keep adding beef up front to their defense. Buffalo seems to have a type with these bigger, more powerful edge rushers, and LT Overton fits that to a T with his 290-pound frame. What's surprising is the bend that Overton offers despite his size. He's incredibly raw, but his tools are jaw-dropping.
#62. Philadelphia Eagles: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
#63. Kansas City Chiefs: Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
#64. Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
The Lions traded for Za'Darius Smith, but they need a long-term partner for Aidan Hutchinson in their pass rush room. Ezeiruaku's length and bend around the corner give him a high floor to work with, but then he pairs it with the best toolbox of pass-rush moves in this draft class.
