For all the mockery that mock drafts receive, what have NFL teams been doing this week? Mock drafts — going over different scenarios to be best prepared for the countless ways the first round could play out Thursday night.
And (thankfully) this is my final mock for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Honestly, I hope it doesn’t play out this way — I want chaos, and there’s a good chance we get it this year.
(Editor’s note: An asterisk indicates a projected trade in this mock.)
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
It became clear at the NFL combine in February that Ward would be the No. 1 pick. The only question left was whether the Titans would stick and make the pick themselves or trade out. First-year general manager Mike Borgonzi confirmed this week that his team will stay put. The Titans are going with the quarterback.
Cam Ward Miami (FL) HT
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Loose, instinctive passer who can rip accurate strikes with natural rhythm
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Browns taking the best player in the draft at No. 2 makes the most sense. And playing Hunter on offense would also make sense, considering Cleveland ranked dead last in the league last season in offensive scoring and third-down conversions.
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State
Although edge rusher isn’t a glaring need for the Giants, the smart philosophy is to draft impact players — not positions — in the top three. Carter is one of the best prospects in the draft class, too, which should make this an easy decision.
Is there a quarterback the Giants could fall in love with at No. 3? It doesn’t appear that way.
Abdul Carter Penn State HT
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Projects as a 1A pass rusher, with a gift for consistently impacting backfield
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots have a need at left tackle, and Campbell is the top offensive lineman in the draft. Sometimes, things just fit. Despite some of the concerns about his length, Campbell has the skill set to become a Pro Bowler, even if he’s ultimately moved inside to guard.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
It isn’t difficult to make the argument Jeanty would create a greater impact for the Jaguars than any other prospect available. Offensive-minded head coach Liam Coen could do some fun things with a core of Jeanty, Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas
Jeanty is off the board in this scenario, and new Raiders general manager John Spytek values the trenches on both sides of the ball. Mason Graham could be in play here, especially with Christian Wilkins coming off injury, but I keep hearing offensive line for Las Vegas — either Banks or Armand Membou.
7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Right tackle is arguably the Jets’ top need entering the draft, so Membou is a natural fit. Pairing him with Olu Fashanu for the foreseeable future would give the Jets one of the league’s best young tackle tandems.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, edge/LB, Georgia
The Panthers will be hunting defensive playmakers, and the two prospects I hear them connected to the most by opposing teams are Walker and Walter Nolen. A North Carolina native, Walker has the athletic traits and internal wiring that should speak to Carolina general manager Dan Morgan.
9. New Orleans Saints: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
New head coach Kellen Moore probably wants to go offense with this pick, but Graham might be too good to pass up. Thanks to an understanding of how to deconstruct blocks, he consistently affects the backfield action with his disruption.
Mason Graham Michigan HT
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Leverage monster who destroys blocks with strength, quickness and motor
10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
A defensive lineman (Mykel Williams?) could be in play here. With Warren available in this mock, though, that is the direction I’m leaning. The Penn State product would upgrade Chicago’s tight end position and help unlock Ben Johnson’s offense.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The 49ers are looking to get better in the trenches, which means there are a few different directions they could go here. Nolen is a disruptive force who can attack gaps and create problems in the backfield, although the consistency isn’t always there.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
If McMillan is off the board, this slot might get pretty spicy. The rangy Arizona pass catcher is still available in our mock, so the Cowboys nab WR1 and pair him with CeeDee Lamb to upgrade the offense.
But will McMillan make it this far Thursday night? Maybe not.
Tetairoa McMillan Arizona HT
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Basketball, volleyball backgrounds show in his size and catch-point skills
13. Miami Dolphins: Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State
The Dolphins have multiple needs, and there are several different ways they could attack this pick. Using this early a selection on the interior of the offensive line goes against what this Miami regime usually does, but it would be a welcome pivot to strengthen the front.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Yes, this is a very chalky pick. But in a first round with so many question marks, Loveland is one of the few prospects with true Pro Bowl talent who can upgrade an offense in Year 1. And with the Colts trying to figure out the quarterback position, adding a dynamic pass catcher would only help.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia
One of the youngest and most talented players in the class, Williams has a high floor as a run defender and is just scratching the surface of how good he can be rushing the passer. The Falcons could be in a good spot to keep the Georgia product in his home state.
Mykel Williams Georgia HT
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Similar in ways to Jason Pierre-Paul, projects as NFL starter on the edge
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Cardinals will be hunting explosive players on defense throughout the draft — Campbell fits that description. The Alabama linebacker has the range and versatility as a pass rusher to impact the game in a variety of ways.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
This pick has to be defense, right? Well … it might be, but dropping Booker on this offensive line to stabilize the interior and protect Joe Burrow would have to be appealing for Cincinnati.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Wide receiver isn’t the Seahawks’ No. 1 need. However, with DK Metcalf now in Pittsburgh, Seattle will be looking to add a pass-catching playmaker early in the draft.
Matthew Golden Texas HT
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Dynamic route runner who can become a go-to target
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Teams are split on whether Barron is a nickel-only defensive back or can play across the secondary. If Tampa Bay believes he can start on the outside, he will be on the shortlist for this pick.
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The Broncos have an ascending offense, and the addition of a top-flight running back such as Hampton could really turbocharge things. Hampton’s blend of speed and power will make him an immediate threat at the next level.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
In my post-combine mock, I had Shedeur Sanders to the Steelers here — and that is how things might play out Thursday night. But I won’t be surprised if Pittsburgh bypasses quarterback to strengthen its defensive line.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Chargers are another team looking to upgrade on the defensive line. Jim Harbaugh and his defensive staff obviously know Grant very well from their Michigan days.
23. Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
I’ve mentioned this a lot the last few months: Johnson is a true wild card in Round 1. The concerns about his speed are there, and his medicals also could cause him to fall to Green Bay (or further).
24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
With Harrison Smith now 36, Emmanwori could help add immediate depth while giving Minnesota a super-talented safety for the long term.
Nick Emmanwori South Carolina HT
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Size, speed and mindset for variety of roles but projects best near the line
25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Because of his medicals and interviews, Simmons is another first-round wild card. But his talent is first-round worthy, and Houston will be looking for a potential long-term answer at left tackle.
26. New York Giants (from LAR*): Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Trade! The Giants move up from the second round into the Rams’ pick and take a quarterback. Coming out of Round 1 with Carter and Dart would bring some excitement to the Giants’ organization.
If New York targets Dart, it might push Sanders into Round 2, where the Browns could potentially grab him at No. 33.
Jaxson Dart Ole Miss HT
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Gifted, competitive QB who needs time to develop how he reads defenses
27. Baltimore Ravens: Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&M
The Ravens have shown in the past they are comfortable betting on traits over college production, especially at edge rusher. Stewart could go as early as No. 9 to the Saints or fall to the end of the first round.
28. Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College
The Lions would love to find another pass-rush option in the first round. They do in this scenario with Ezeiruaku, who would bring length, rush instincts and a proven ability to sack the quarterback.
29. Washington Commanders: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Commanders have been doing a lot of homework on edge rushers and cornerbacks, including Hairston. Although he’s a tick undersized, Hairston has the big-time speed and aggressiveness that would work well in Washington.
Maxwell Hairston Kentucky HT
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Could be an early starter, if his tackling improves
30. Buffalo Bills: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
I planned to mock cornerback Trey Amos to the Bills, but Starks was the best player available at this spot. He’d immediately upgrade the safety position in Buffalo.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OT/G, Oregon
Conerly is yet another wild card — he has some love from teams in the top 15. The Chiefs would have to feel great about getting a potential long-term answer at left tackle at this point.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Green, edge, Marshall
The Eagles could go in several different directions at this pick, and that includes edge rusher, should a talent like Green fall to them. This would feel very similar to when Philadelphia drafted Nolan Smith at No. 30 in 2023.
Mike Green Marshall HT
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Twitchy athlete with burst and body control to win one-on-one or set violent edge
Round 2 (team without a first-round pick)
34. Los Angeles Rams (from NYG*): Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
The Rams move down eight spots and still come away with a player they probably would have considered at No. 26, filling one of their top needs in the process.
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; top photos: Megan Briggs, Todd Kirkland, Andrew Wevers, Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)
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