With the NFL season officially in the books, it’s time for football fans to look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s my first, early look at some possible first-round selections in my initial 2025 NFL mock draft.
To learn more about any of the prospects listed here, read their 2025 NFL Draft scouting report linked below (with many more in our Scouting Reports section). Feel free to follow me on Twitter @draftexaminer if you have any draft thoughts or questions. Let’s dive into my initial 2025 NFL mock draft for the first round.
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2025 NFL Mock Draft (Round 1)
1. Tennessee Titans: Travis Hunter (WR/CB – Colorado)
This pick, if kept, could be either of the top two quarterbacks or Abdul Carter. For now, I’ll project the Titans to take my best player available, Travis Hunter, listed as a wideout because the Titans lack a second receiver to complement Calvin Ridley and invested heavily in L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie last offseason (granted, under the previous general manager, Ran Carthon.)
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter (DE – Penn State)
This would have most likely been a quarterback last week, but I wonder if Myles Garrett‘s demand for a trade could push Cleveland toward drafting his replacement. Abdul Carter is ranked higher on my board than either of the top two quarterbacks available. Perhaps Kevin Stefanski would be open to bringing in someone like his former quarterback Kirk Cousins as a stopgap.
3. New York Giants: Cam Ward (QB – Miami)
Surprisingly, the Giants opted to bring back general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll for their fourth season together. I gave some consideration to Mason Graham here, as he would be an elite complement to Dexter Lawrence. They could even look at Tetairoa McMillan to pair with Malik Nabers, but the quarterback need is too pressing. Ward probably fits better than Sanders.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell (OT – LSU)
If the Patriots view Will Campbell as a pure left tackle, I think this pick could be relatively straightforward, as their offensive line needs a massive talent injection. Tetairoa McMillan would probably be the most likely alternative, especially because he may be considered a better overall talent than Campbell by many fans. There’s some young talent at receiver in New England, though.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham (DL – Michigan)
I considered Tetairoa McMillan here, as there are shades of Mike Evans to his game, which Liam Coen will most likely notice. The team needs some serious upgrades on their defensive line, though. I know they just drafted Maason Smith in the second round last year, but another major piece up front is critical. If they’re a team high on Will Johnson, that makes sense, too.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)
Given that Tom Brady seems to be closely linked to Shedeur Sanders and heavily involved in the team’s football operations, this pick makes a lot of sense. If Sanders were to be taken earlier (say, by the Browns or Giants), McMillan’s resemblance to Mike Evans could make him a very attractive option for this team, giving them a true split end to pair with Jakobi Meyers.
7. New York Jets: Malaki Starks (DB – Georgia)
With both quarterbacks and Mason Graham off the board, this pick gets a little bit more interesting (Javon Kinlaw is an impending free agent.) There’s a pretty diverse regime coming in for the Jets. The dynamic between general manager Darren Mougey, head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is unclear. I think Malaki Starks could remind Glenn of Brian Branch, and the team needs a free safety.
8. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr. (DE – Tennessee)
This pick looks like it should be someone on defense. With Derrick Brown missing the season, Carolina’s line didn’t play very well aside from A’Shawn Robinson. Their secondary could use help, either at cornerback (to compete with Mike Jackson opposite Jaycee Horn) or at safety.
I went with James Pearce Jr. here, as the team traded Brian Burns, and both Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum are entering contract years.
9. New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona)
As of the time of writing, the Saints don’t even have a head coach, in large part because of their dire salary cap situation and the upcoming mass exodus of players, especially on defense. This would ideally be a defensive pick, but the defensive front talent has been picked cleanly. Will Johnson is a consideration, but I’ll go Tetairoa McMillan here.
10. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT – Texas)
Chicago returns nearly their entire starting lineup on defense in 2025, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they went with another offensive player here. Ashton Jeanty is a possibility. The team’s offensive line also played well last year, but all three of their interior starters are set to hit free agency, so they could end up losing one or more of them. I wonder if Kelvin Banks Jr. would remind Ben Johnson of Penei Sewell.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons (OT – Ohio State)
This pick could change dramatically based on free agency, as players left guard Aaron Banks, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (hurt last year) and cornerback Charvarius Ward are all set to hit the market. Josh Simmons makes a lot of sense for now, as he is a zone-blocking specialist who could replace Banks at left guard while being groomed to succeed Trent Williams at left tackle.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
The case for Ashton Jeanty is obvious: Rico Dowdle is set to hit free agency and Brian Schottenheimer has a reputation for run-heavy offenses. However, Jerry Jones has also shown an ability to find effective under-the-radar running backs, which made me seriously consider Luther Burden III here. Burden could replace Brandin Cooks, who’s set to hit the market and struggled last year.
13. Miami Dolphins: Armand Membou (OL – Missouri)
One of the teams hit hardest by injuries and impending free agents, the Dolphins have the following about to hit free agency: their three guard starters, four of their five defensive linemen and both starting safeties. They also lost Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips to injury last season. I’m less worried about EDGE rushers, in part because of Chop Robinson, so the trenches make sense to protect Tua Tagovailoa.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Will Johnson (CB – Michigan)
It’s almost mandatory to consider a tight end here, as Kylen Granson led the room with 14 catches. But defensively, the team seems like less than the sum of its parts; nearly all of their major contributors graded out well last year, but they finished 24th in points and 29th in yards. I went with value at cornerback, since the team lacks a true No. 1 CB. JuJu Brents has been hurt and Will Johnson fits the physical profile.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker (LB – Georgia)
Looking at their contracts, the Falcons will bring back nearly every major offensive contributor but could lose players like Eddie Goldman, Matthew Judon, Mike Hughes and Justin Simmons to free agency. This was the second-worst third-down defense in the league last year. Arnold Ebiketie led the team with six sacks. How about a local EDGE rusher?
16. Arizona Cardinals: Shemar Stewart (DE – Texas A&M)
Jalon Walker would have been a consideration here if available, as the Cardinals have a ton of questions up front defensively. Zaven Collins has played well, but their other major EDGE talents (Darius Robinson and BJ Ojulari) haven’t shown much yet.
There was a lot of rotation on the offensive line, as they could also end up having to rebuild at guard if Evan Brown/Will Hernandez leave (Isaiah Adams will likely get another chance.)
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)
Finding some interior line help would be nice, but the value isn’t there at this point. This is a team that often likes to invest heavily in their defensive front, but they might want to give some of their young players there more time. In that case, they could look for more of a true No. 1 CB, but they also need a No. 3 WR (or a No. 2 WR if Tee Higgins leaves.)
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel (OL – North Dakota State)
Drafting a defender seems more like a luxury. Offensively, the line was banged up last season. Charles Cross is locked in at left tackle, but their only other healthy lineman in 2024, Laken Tomlinson, will be a free agent. New coordinator Klint Kubiak needs athletic zone blockers. Receiver would likely be a consideration if DK Metcalf is traded and/or Tyler Lockett is cut.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nic Scourton (LB – Texas A&M)
This was one of the most explosive offenses in the league last season. Even though Liam Coen is heading to Jacksonville, this pick is probably more likely to be a defender. I wouldn’t rule out a safety to complement Antoine Winfield Jr., but I expect a linebacker here — either an EDGE rusher or an inside linebacker to succeed Lavonte David.
20. Denver Broncos: Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State)
I think this could be Tyler Warren’s floor, as he fits the sort of versatile “Joker” type Sean Payton looks for offensively. Stud tight ends have typically been a staple of Payton teams, whether as head coach (Jimmy Graham) or as an assistant (Jeremy Shockey, Jason Witten.) Considering a receiver or strong safety here would make sense, too.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III (WR – Missouri)
Dragging this team to the playoffs is a testament to Mike Tomlin’s coaching. They need a quarterback of the future, at least one receiver, potentially offensive line upgrades (Troy Fautanu‘s return should help) and another starting corner. Pittsburgh has had a lot of success drafting wide receivers on the second day, but it might be hard to pass on Burden if he fell.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan)
Jim Harbaugh could reunite with his Michigan tight end Colston Loveland as a major upgrade on Will Dissly, helping to establish a more physical offensive identity and giving Justin Herbert a different type of weapon on a team without a ton of proven receivers. Khalil Mack‘s future is unclear, so an EDGE rusher could also make sense if anyone slips.
23. Green Bay Packers: Mykel Williams (DE – Georgia)
The Packers managed to finish in the top 10 offensively and defensively in both yards and points but crashed out at the end of the year by losing their last three games, including two divisional matchups. If this pick is an offensive selection, it’ll probably be for help along the line. However, they also need a complement to Rashan Gary on the end and they love drafting athletes from Georgia.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison (CB – Notre Dame)
A zone-based offensive lineman is a possibility here, as their interior isn’t the most impressive (though Blake Brandel and Garrett Bradbury were fully healthy last year). Brian Flores’ three-man line could use a stud, although the Vikings still finished second in run defense. They also need to get younger at corner, as Stephon Gilmore will be 35, and that’s where I liked the value.
25. Houston Texans: Kenneth Grant (DL – Michigan)
This is a tough one, as Houston’s roster is relatively loaded with young talent. Building up the interior of their defensive line could make sense, as they don’t have a stud run stuffer, and two of their top three guys there will hit free agency. They could also try to line up a replacement for Stefon Diggs should he leave in free agency. Or they could try to find a left guard if they move Tytus Howard to right tackle (i.e. if Blake Fisher isn’t ready.)
26. Los Angeles Rams: Tyleik Williams (DL – Ohio State)
Credit Sean McVay for keeping this team in contention as it rebuilds. He’s one of the best in the league at maximizing the performance of a somewhat uneven roster. A receiver to replace Cooper Kupp would make sense, as does a center. Defensively, the team has talent but wasn’t great statistically and could use help at nose tackle, linebacker and maybe corner. After getting gashed by Saquon Barkley, a run stuffer might be nice.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Booker (OG – Alabama)
The left side of the offensive line could be a concern this offseason, as Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari aren’t under contract next year. Stanley was finally healthy in 2024 but hasn’t typically been very durable, so how about a big road grader from Derrick Henry‘s alma mater? If a stud cornerback fell here, that and possibly a weak inside linebacker to compete with Trenton Simpson, could be considerations.
28. Detroit Lions: Jack Sawyer (DE – Ohio State)
Few teams have a signature brand as prominent as the one Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have built in Detroit, and they’ve been consistent about drafting players who fit their identity. A guard could work, either as an upgrade for Graham Glasgow or an eventual replacement for Kevin Zeitler, who turns 35 next month. Either Buckeyes end makes sense.
29. Washington Commanders: Jihaad Campbell (LB – Alabama)
Defensively, the Commanders finished second against the pass but 30th against the run, so bolstering the defensive front could be a good move. Bobby Wagner had a strong season but is 35 and on an expiring deal, as is sack leader Dante Fowler Jr. Jihaad Campbell’s versatility as a run defender and rusher could fit well on a team that blitzed linebackers frequently last year.
30. Buffalo Bills: Matthew Golden (WR – Texas)
The secondary has been an issue in Buffalo; help is needed at both corner and safety. Excitement about what Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper would add ended up proving unjustified in 2024, so a receiver could make sense, with an outside shot at a linebacker. I nearly went with Golden’s teammate Jahdae Barron, but felt the value with Golden was better.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Aireontae Ersery (OT – Minnesota)
Probably best to pick your favorite fit in the trenches here. Kansas City is locked into right tackle Jawaan Taylor‘s contract, and Kingsley Suamataia may need more time to develop as his replacement. A left tackle who would allow Joe Thuney to kick back inside is a need. I’d also consider a defensive lineman (tackle or end) or maybe a corner. Depending on what happens with Travis Kelce, a tight end could be in play.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: JT Tuimoloau (DE – Ohio State)
This is about as good of a roster as you’re likely to see. I wouldn’t rule out a second tight end, as Grant Calcaterra played almost 900 snaps. However, since both Josh Sweat (free agency) and Brandon Graham (free agency, retirement) may leave, replenishing the depth on the EDGE would be a good move. JT Tuimoloau’s thicker build might fit better than Mike Green‘s.
Also Considered (click on player name for full scouting report):
- Tre Harris III (WR – Ole Miss)
- Jonah Savaiinaea (OT – Arizona)
- Donovan Jackson (OG – Ohio State)
- Derrick Harmon (DL – Oregon)
- Walter Nolen (DL – Ole Miss)
- Mike Green (DE – Marshall)
- Trey Amos (CB – Mississippi)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (CB – East Carolina)
- Azareye’h Thomas (CB – Florida State)
- Jahdae Barron (DB – Texas)
- Nick Emmanwori (DB – South Carolina)
- Xavier Watts (DB – Notre Dame)
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