2025 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots help Drake Maye, Patrick Mahomes gets a protector, and Eagles break a trend in round one

The 2025 NFL Draft is just over two months away. Free agency looms, but this is a great time to start looking at potential prospect-team marriages for round one.  Without further ado, here's my first official first-round mock for the 2025 draft. If you don't like your team's pick, make sure to let me hear […]

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

Without further ado, here's my first 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!

2025 First-Round NFL Mock Draft (February 17)

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

The Titans kick off the draft by taking many scouts' top quarterback in the class. Ward has a unique calmness about himself in the pocket and possesses an NFL-level arm. Tennessee and Brian Callahan simply cannot go into next season with Will Levis as their top option at the position. 

2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

This pick is a bit tougher for me as of now. Myles Garrett wants out, so Carter could replace him in a certain scenario. On the other hand, if the Browns and Garrett find a way to stay together, Cleveland would then boast the best pass rushing duo in football after this selection in round one.

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

QB gotta be the pick here, right? Not quite. I believe that New York may go after a veteran quarterback option, with a ton of pressure on HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen. If that occurs, this pick is a no-brainer. If not, Shedeur Sanders is definitely a possibility here. Hunter has is a type of talent we almost never see in a draft class, and he has the ceiling to play both in the secondary and on offense at a high level in the pros. 

4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

It was tough to pass up on Mason Graham here. That being said, protecting Drake Maye will be at the top of the to-do list for Mike Vrabel this offseason. Taking Campbell in the top five would solidify him as a piece for the future along the OL, and he has a floor of a solid guard at the NFL level. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

The Jags come away like bandits here. Graham is arguably the top prospect in the class, for my money, and they grab him with the fifth pick here. He fills a need and is great value here. With Graham and Travon Walker, along with Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville would have a great DL nucleus going forward.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Sanders comes off the board here, to a team that seemingly has a lot of interest in him. On the flip-side, it feels like Sanders and his father, Deion, would welcome a landing in Vegas to play for a proven head coach like Pete Carroll. Just makes the most sense as of now.

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

What a climb it has been for Warren. A couple of months ago, he was at the tail end of round one. Now, he is consistently mocked in the top fifteen, including in this mock. New York needs playmakers, with Davante Adams expected to be out the door and no notable option at TE for next season. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Get Bryce Young some help, baby! Young showed flashes of great play over the latter half of last season, and McMillan fits in nicely to the Panthers offense that wants to push the ball down the field under Dave Canales. I feel like this selection will be often-seen in mock over the next two months.

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

Cornerback is a big need for New Orleans' defense, especially if they do not re-sign Paulson Adebo. Johnson has one of the highest ceilings in the class and could have a starting role to begin his rookie season with the Saints. This blends need with value pretty accurately, in my opinion. 

10. Chicago Bears: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Speaking of climbs, Membou has constantly been a riser recently. His floor creates a safety for any team that takes him, mainly because he can be a great guard at the pro level. If Chicago tries him at tackle, I think he could succeed there as well. No matter what – I think address offensive or defensive line is at the top of the Bears' needs right now. 

11. San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Banks is a good mover with a high ceiling for his NFL career. San Francisco needs offensive line help badly after a frustrating 2024 performance. I also prefer his fit with the Niners over the other OL options here at eleven.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

I know, I know. This pick is made in most mocks, but tell me it doesn't make sense for Dallas. In the past, their offense has seen the most success with a strong running game. Dak Prescott has shouldered too much of the load over the past two years when healthy. Jeanty is a top five prospect in this class. Take him. 

13. Miami Dolphins: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama

This fit is a bit iffy for me, as I do not see Booker as the best mover inside for a zone sort of scheme. Regardless, the NFL seems to see him as a top twenty selection, and the Dolphins cannot continue to ignore their offensive line troubles. 

14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

You'll see Tyler Warren at this spot a lot – for good reason. He is not available in this scenario, though. Regardless, the Colts grab the top safety in the class here and smile. Indy's secondary needs a lot of help, and hopefully, Starks won't be the only piece they add to help on the back end. 

15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Alabama

Walker is a really impressive athlete for any of the teams in this pick range. You may see him as early as the top eight picks. Regardless, EDGE has been a position of need for the past two years for Atlanta. Walker fills a massive need and impresses me more than the other defensive options here.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

This is a risky swing. Williams has the tools to be a 10+ sack per season player at the pro level. Meanwhile, his production was limited in his final year as a Bulldog, and many question how quickly he can translate to the speed of the NFL. No matter what – Arizona has to improve their pass rush, and they'll hope Williams can do that.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas

Cincy has to improve their defense this offseason, plain and simple. Joe Burrow had an MVP-level year last season, and they did not even sniff the postseason. Barron is a defensive back that can play inside or outside. He's gritty and plays with an edge that the Bengals need on the back end.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Simmons is a player who I think would go in the top twelve if it weren't for his medical concerns. He missed most of last season with a leg injury, and it is  unknown where his true range is in the first or second round. This time, Seattle takes the swing and lands a legit option opposite Charles Cross at tackle. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

The Senior Bowl star lands in Tampa, where they, in fact, do still need help off the edge. Green's blend of burst and power is exciting. He can make an impact in year one for a Bucs team that wants to continue their NFC South reign next season. 

20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Sean Payton gets a key piece to his future passing game with Bo Nix. It is hard to see Denver swaying from adding to their offense in round one as of now. That could change with free agency, though.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri

This was an easy selection for me. Burden is a great compliment to George Pickens, and the Steelers have to get play-making help for their QB in 2025. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Inject this pick into my veins. The route running in LA with Egbuka and Ladd McConkey would be beautiful to see. Justin Herbert needs another passing game target, and both of the top tight ends are off the board. Egbuka seems like the type of prospect that teams will be made they didn't take earlier in a couple of years. 

23. Green Bay Packers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Value! Pearce Jr. has often gone earlier than this, but Green Bay fills a major need off the edge with an explosive rusher in the Vols product. He needs to shore up his run defense prowess, but this is still a smart pick for the Packers in the early 20s. 

24. Minnesota Vikings: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss

Minnesota would be smart to improve their interior on defense, and Nolen has proven to be a game wrecker over the past year. He dominated Senior Bowl week and could really flourish under Brian Flores. I did not have to consider this selection for too long. 

25. Houston Texans: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Houston's rush defense was porous in important games this past season. Grant immediately jumps into a starting role. His movement ability at his size is elite for a draft prospect, and the fit makes a ton of sense for Demeco Ryans' defense.

26. Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

This is a fun pick to me. Los Angeles seems to be on their way to trading veteran WR Cooper Kupp. Their need at wideout will expand once that occurs, and Golden is a great complement to Puka Nacua. He separates extremely well and possesses legit downfield speed. 

27. Baltimore Ravens: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, ECU

Revel Jr. is a tough cookie to drop in the jar for round one. There are some injury concerns following last year, but he is often seen as one of the top four CB prospects in the class. For Baltimore, he's a scheme fit and goes nicely beside Marlon Humphrey and co. in a talented, young secondary. 

28. Detroit Lions: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Dan Campbell gets himself a big, long defensive lineman who probably should have gone earlier than this. Adding Stewart gives Detroit more flexibility on the defensive line and takes a bit of pressure off Aidan Hutchinson, who is set to make a major return next season. 

29. Washington Commanders: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Labeled "EZ-E", the Boston College pass rusher is a defender who plays with his hair on fire. He fights on every rep and never shows a sense of weakness on film. He's got a Dan Quinn-sort of mantra about him that would fit in Washington. Plus, their pass rush has to improve for next year. 

30. Buffalo Bills: Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Thomas is another player flying up boards. A month ago, the Seminole product was not getting nearly enough hype. Now, he is consistently going in the first two rounds. Deservedly so. Here, the Bills address a huge cornerback need and get a CB who plays with effort and energy that pops off the screen.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OT Oregon

Patrick Mahomes ran for his life for a lot of Super Bowl LIX. Offensive tackle has been a spot where KC has placed a band-aid for much of the past couple of seasons, but that cannot be the case entering next season. Conerly is an OL prospect who performed better at the Senior Bowl than many think.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

This cannot be true, right? Howie Roseman will NOT take a linebacker early in the draft. In round one? No way. Well, yes way in this mock. Why? Because Campbell is one of the top players available and may see a starting role in Philly if they cannot bring back Zack Baun this offseason. Philly has annually made the most of value early in drafts with Roseman as GM. This is another example of that.

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

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