Latest 2025 NFL mock draft ahead of free agency sees four quarterbacks go in Round 1, including a shocking ACC selection

NFL Free agency opens up on the other side of this weekend, and after spending the week in Indianapolis for the 2025 NFL Combine, this feels like a good time to do a 32-team mock draft based on what I learned in Indy and what teams look like right now. Here's what I came up […]

Mike Payton Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) prepares to pass the ball in the third quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.
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NFL Free agency opens up on the other side of this weekend, and after spending the week in Indianapolis for the 2025 NFL Combine, this feels like a good time to do a 32-team mock draft based on what I learned in Indy and what teams look like right now. Here's what I came up with: 


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

The Titans need a quarterback and you're tempted to take one here, but at the same time, you have the chance to get the very best player in this draft in Carter and you have to take it. Maybe then the Titans can try for Sam Darnold in free agency.

2. Cleveland Browns: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

The Browns have a long way to go before they can get right and it starts in April with this draft pick. Deshaun Watson isn't going to work out no matter how badly they want to act as if they don't regret that move for millions of reasons. Ward is the best quarterback in this draft and his play style fits the way that the NFL is heading and the Browns could finally get their guy here. 

3. New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

I have no problem saying to the world that I am a Jaxson Dart guy. I flat out do not understand what people aren't seeing with him. Dart may not light the league on fire right away, but with time and development he will show to be the QB2 or possibly even QB1 of this draft. 

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

We don't really know what the NFL sees in Hunter just yet. We just know that he's pretty good at both the positions that he could play in the league. We also know the Patriots need both positions filled. Receiver sees like the way to go with Hunter, but you have to wonder if he becomes a full-time two-way player. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The top dog in terms of defensive linemen in this draft. Graham is ready to go right now and he'll make an immediate impact for the Jaguars and makes the group with him, Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen look pretty scary. 

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

Tom Brady and company struck out on Matthew Stafford, but they won't with Sanders. The good news is that they won't have to take him on a ski trip in Montana to make it happen. Pete Carroll will make sure the Raiders get a guy with Sanders. 

7. New York Jets: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Sauce and Johnson together is a very good duo. The Jets are likely to lose DJ Reed in free agency, so going with one of the top corners in the draft with all the top quarterbacks off the board makes sense. Plus Aaron Glenn being a former corner is going to be so good for Johnson. 

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

This guy is flying up the board after a solid Senior Bowl and Combine. The Panthers are in desperate need of an edge rusher and Stewart is that guy for them. 

9. New Orleans Saints: James Pearce, edge, Tennessee

Looks like maybe a run on edge rushers is happening now. Pearce is an athletic freak and he showed that at the Combine. We also saw at Tennessee that he can get home. With Cameron Jordan likely to be retired soon, Pearce is the heir apparent for the Saints. 

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

You saw how important Jahmyr Gibbs was to the Lions offense in the last two years and Ben Johnson is going to want to have his own version of that guy in Chicago. Jeanty makes too much sense for the Bears. 

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

Trent Williams is 36 years old. The 49ers have to be in the market for their contingency plan there. Campbell is that guy. The good thing is that you could get a good swing tackle in the meantime. 

12. Dallas Cowboys: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The Cowboys get the best safety in the draft here. This is a team that struggled in the secondary in 2024. Starks brings some immediate help and versatility in that area. 

13.  Miami Dolphins: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

The Dolphins really need to get back to being that offensive team that was beating the heck out of everyone in 2023. They need some offensive line help to make that happen though. 

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The Colts have not had a solid presence at tight end in a while. Warren brings that. He can be a solid pass catcher and open up the offense. There is some concern about blocking though. 

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, edge, Marshall

There's no secret that the Falcons are interested in pass rush help this offseason. There are already rumors that they're interested in a trade for Trey Hendrickson. Green gives the Falcons a guy that was a pass rush maven in college and has shown that he has the tools to be that in the NFL too. 

16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

A third Wolverine coming off the board in the first-round. The Cardinals struggled against the run in 2024 and here's a chance to help shore up that issue with a dog on the interior of their line 

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

The Bengals are about to need a complete rebuild on that defensive line with losing DJ Reader last year and Trey Hendrickson this year. Nolen is a good first piece who can bring some versatility on the line. 

18. Seattle Seahawks: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

There's been a lot of smoke behind the idea that Golden is going to be the first receiver of the board. For a team that just parted ways with Tyler Lockett and is expected to trade DK Metcalf, Golden is a good start for their new receivers corps. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

There are a lot of changes happening with the Bucs linebacker corps. Lavonte David is likely out and Walker represents a really good chance to get things going on the right track there. 

20. Denver Broncos: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

What a score for the Broncos to get McMillan this late in the draft. There's a strong chance he goes higher than this. Maybe even top 10, but receiver seems to be getting pushed down the board a bit as of late. He doesn't get past the Broncos though. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

This is probably a bit of a shocker, but everyone was talking about Shough in Indy and he is moving up the board rapidly. I believe he finds himself getting picked in the low first round. The Steelers get their guy here. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College

Joey Bosa is gone and Khalil Mack is too. The Chargers need an edge rusher and they get what feels like a bit of a steal in here, Ezeiruaku. He could goi just about anywhere in the first round and that means top 15 too. 

23. Green Bay Packers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The Packers will probably try to take a shot at trading for Metcalf. Even if they succeed, they should still consider another receiver early in the draft to give Jordan Love some help. Egbuka is a good fit for Green Bay. 

24. Minnesota Vikings: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

The Vikings could go a few different ways here. There was some thought about running back for them, but ultimately the chance to get this very good linebacker is something that the Vikings can't pass up. 

25. Houston Texans: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas

You have to protect C.J. Stroud if you want to win and Banks staying in Texas is the best chance the Texans have to do that.  

26. Los Angeles Rams: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

I swear I'm not a Michigan fan. I'm a Spartan through and through, but they have some good players there. The Rams don't have a pass catching tight end who can open up their offense. Loveland fits really well there and Stafford, who loved throwing to TJ Hockenson once upon a time, will love Loveland. 

27. Baltimore Ravens: Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State

I'm not sure if Zabel is a tackle or guard quite yet, but the Ravens could use him in either spot. 

28. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton, edge, Texas A&M

The Lions need a guy opposite Aidan Hutchinson and Scourton gives the Lions a chance to fill that role and fill it for a long time since he's still just 20 years old. 

29. Washington Commanders: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

This Commanders team is so close to being a full-time problem and that offense is pretty good. That defense gets even better wth a super athletic cornerback. 

30. Buffalo Bills: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon

The Bills were super fun last year, but they definitely need some help on defense and especially on the interior of the defensive line. Harmon is a good fit. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

The Chiefs get a lot of versatility with Jackson. He specializes in playing guard, but kicked out to left tackle in 2024 due to injuries and played pretty well. 

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

The Eagles have been doing really well at replacing their older players in the secondary with draft picks. They do it again here with Emmanwori.