Mock Draft 1.0

The time is here. After lots of deliberating and contemplation, I have finished my first mock draft for the 2025 NFL draft. This was based purely off team needs and who I think would be a good fit for each team accordingly. I will not do a deep dive on each prospect, but just a quick blurb on why I think they’d be effective with each respective team. Now, without further ado…

1.) Titans

I think everyone knows who is going #1 overall. Unless the Titans have been smoke-screening the hell out of us all, Cam Ward will be in a Titans uniform starting September. The Titans need a QB. They’ve actually needed one for a little bit. That’s all there is to it. Well, they need more than that, but they aren’t passing on Ward.

2.) Browns

In a shocking turn of events, the Browns go unexpected and take Shedeur Sanders. Yes, his stock has gone down, and yes, it may be a reach, but QBs have such a high value in the draft, a team that needs one will not wait. We’ve seen it before, and while the pool of QBs is weaker, I think the Browns pull the trigger. They traded for Kenny Pickett and still have Deshaun Watson, but after the Browns’ owner’s comments on Watson, (basically calling his contract a mistake,) I think the Browns take a shot. They could go Carter or Hunter obviously, but I think they may believe in the potential of one of these QBs. And Browns fans have had enough.

3.) Giants

Speaking of fanbases that have had enough, let’s turn our attention to NY. The Giants have publicly said they will take the best available at #3. After signing two veteran QBs, it seems the Giants need for a QB in the first round has diminished. It doesn’t mean they won’t, but Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter will be available for certain. So, which one? I like Carter over Hunter for the Giants, I feel like he’s a better prospect with a little more ceiling, but that is not to take away from Hunter. Either pick for the Giants is a win.

4.) Patriots

So, the Giants take Carter, leaving Travis Hunter on the board for the Patriots. I like this pick a lot for the Pats, as it gives them more depth at WR and an obvious spark that is much needed. Plus, it’s another weapon for Drake Maye. Spark on offense and a generational athlete? Win for the Pats.

5.) Jaguars

Jacksonville needs to pair some trench players with Josh Allen and Travon Walker. Now, I could see the Jaguars maybe taking a stab at Will Johnson, as they need corners, but I believe Mason Graham is way too good to pass up here. A wrecking ball of an interior lineman paired with two prolific edge rushers. Good selection here for Duval.

6.) Raiders

I deliberated with this pick for a while, but I believe the Raiders will take that early first round pick and go with the generational running back we have all been talking about for a year. Ashton Jeanty, in case you were unsure. The Raiders have zero proven running backs, and while I know the history of taking RBs in round 1, I don’t think the Raiders are going to let him slip. It’s definitely a risky pick, but his talent and production are all there. They could go Will Campbell and bolster their OL, but I think Las Vegas wants to bring some flash to their team.

7.) Jets

The Jets lost Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith, their two bookend tackles. Therefore, I think the Jets will try and protect Justin Fields, as their OL was not good last year. And Fields does not exactly perform well under duress. If Will Campbell is still there, he’s a great pick. But if not, I think they go with Armand Membou . Either selection will bring a guaranteed started to the Jets. Hopefully, they meet those expectations.

8.) Panthers

The Panthers have no second-round pick, so their first-round pick must hit. The Panthers had the WORST defense last year, so while their WR corps needs a tune up, they need to address their defense. I think they take Will Johnson to pair with Jaycee Horn. If Johnson is as good as people say, this will be a phenomenal pick for this team.

9.) Saints

The Saints could do almost anything with this pick. They need defense, offense, special teams, etc. I like Tet McMillan here, as Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave spent a lot of time injured last year. McMillan has a nice ceiling and will provide some a nice mismatch in many scenarios.

10.) Bears

The Bears spent a nice chunk of money on offensive lineman this off-season, so I think they will go for that later in the draft. They need to give Montez Sweat some help. Good thing Jalon Walker will still be on the board, because he will be a nice pairing and will add some nice explosiveness and power to the opposite side of Sweat.

11.) 49ers

San Francisco didn’t clean house, but they lost so many starters. Therefore, this draft will be supremely important for their future. They lost a lot of defense, so I think between defensive backs or defensive lineman, they can’t go wrong either way. I like Mykel Williams here. He’s extremely talented and provides a punch on the defensive front that is much needed with Nick Bosa all alone now.

12.) Cowboys

The Cowboys will need a lot, most importantly in the secondary. They lost Jourdan Lewis, so I think the Cowboys take Jahdae Barron here, which may be a little early, but they need a good CB. I can see the Cowboys taking a defensive lineman here to help Micah Parsons, but their secondary needs a little more attention first.

13.) Dolphins

Miami was essentially unable to run the ball in short yardage situations last year. This is why I like Josh Simmons here. This guy is quick and able to get out on blocks, which is perfect for Miami’s high speed run game. I think this is a great fit.

14.) Colts

The Colts give Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson some more help with Tyler Warren from Penn State. Warren is an exceptional all-around tight end. The Colts don’t really have a tight end. A match made in heaven.

15.) Falcons

Offensively, the Falcons are “OK.” But defensively, they might as well need everything. Atlanta has struggled getting pressure on QBs and in the run game. And they lost Grady Jarrett to free agency. I like Kenneth Grant for the Falcons. An interior lineman who will create a push and pressure upfront. They may go edge, but I like this pick here.

16.) Cardinals

This team needs some help blocking. Especially at the guard position. Enter Tate Ratledge. This guy is high IQ and can block as well as anyone in this draft. Ratledge will help provide security for Kyler Murray in the pocket.

17.) Bengals

I like a WR here for Cincinnati… kidding. It’s obvious the Bengals needs anyone and everything on defense. I think here is where James Pearce Jr. will be taken. A premier edge rusher with lots of talent. Tough guy to pass up on.

18.) Seahawks

Another team with a bad offensive line last year, so I think Seattle goes offensive line early and often. Grey Zabel is a great pick here, as he’s listed as a guard but can play center as well. The versatility in this pick will allow Seattle to place Zabel where they believe he will be best.

19.) Buccaneers

The Bucs need some youth on their defensive line. They secured Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, but they need some help inside or outside defensively. I like Shemar Stewart here. He will be a nice addition to this veteran DL, even if he takes some time to adjust.

20.) Broncos

Omarion Hampton will be a Bronco with the 20th pick, and I think Denver will be ecstatic with this selection. They don’t have a lot of proven running backs, so adding a top-tier talent at that position will be perfect for them.

21.) Steelers

I think regardless of what happens with this next Aaron Rodgers saga, the Steelers will go QB here. Could be Will Howard, or Kyle McCord, but I think this is where Jaxson Dart goes. He has a sneaky stock that has been positively soaring the boards since the end of the season. I think any QB could go here, but I’ll say Dart.

22.) Chargers

The next tight end comes off the board here, as Colston Loveland will make his way to LA. Another phenomenal tight end pick here, the Chargers will fill a much-needed hole on offense and give Herbert another weapon this year. Hopefully, he does something with them this time.

23.) Packers

It goes against my common sense and against the history of the Packers. Especially with Rodgers. But, following Josh Jacobs’ comments about needing a WR1, I don’t think they pass up on Emeka Egbuka. This guy is going to be a day one stud, mark my words. The Packers will not regret this one.

24.) Vikings

Cornerbacks are the word for Minnesota, they lost most of their CBs in this years’ offseason. Maxwell Hairston will be available and therefore will be taken by the Vikings. The guy has a great ceiling and will make their DBs room much better.

25.) Texans

The Texans need some OL help. They had a bad line last year and fired their coordinator at the end of the season. They lost some guys to free agency, so drafting one will be priority. I like Kelvin Banks Jr. for Houston. A nice tackle that will provide more protection for C.J Stroud.

26.) Rams

I think the Rams could do a lot with this pick; they have a lot of room to draft for the future. They need some secondary but could also bolster their OL further. I like CB Trey Amos out of Ole Miss for the Rams. Some nice depth for their already good starters.

27.) Ravens

I think the Ravens will be the first team to take a safety off the board, and the obvious choice is Malaki Starks. This guy is really good at football. Pairing him with Kyle Hamilton and the Ravens defense would be dangerous for other teams. Starks doesn’t slide past pick #27.

28.) Lions

The Lions could go either OL or DL here. I think they go OL, as they will get Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeil back from injury, but they lost some key pieces on their OL to free agency. Therefore, I like Josh Connerly Jr. here. The Oregon tackle will help fill some depth and maybe even be a great starter for Detroit later down the line.

29.) Commanders

A tough one for Washington here. Either secondary or an edge rusher. They lost Dante Fowler Jr. to the Cowboys and will need some help on their DL. This is why I like Mike Green out of Marshall. A twitchy, talented pass-rusher that has a very high ceiling. He may need some refining, but that’s going to be ok with Washington.

30.) Bills

Buffalo needs to address some wide receiver depth in round one. They added Josh Palmer to go with Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir. Adding Luther Burden III will provide that depth.  

31.) Chiefs

Youth and depth for the DL. That will be a high priority for the Chiefs. Yes, they need some OL as well, but I don’t think they pass up on Derrick Harmon from Oregon. He can learn from Chris Jones, who is 30, and replace Tershawn Wharton in time.

32.) Eagles

The Super Bowl winners will be looking to replenish some secondary holes, as they lost a lot of starters at the end of the season. Specifically, at the safety position. Nick Emmanwori will be sitting there, and he is a talented guy to place next to Reed Blankenship.