It’s still Mock Draft season. We have a few days until the real NFL draft. I went through multiple iterations of this mock draft. Spent time on each pick, looking at who the teams signed or didn’t sign in free agency, whose contract is set to expire after this season, and whose rankings on offense and defense. I even looked at a few other mock drafts. After hours of edits, tweaks, and changes, here is my final 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
Final Mock Draft
1.01: Tennessee Titans- Cam Ward (QB, Mia)
The Titans are picking here for a reason. They have struggled to find a franchise quarterback since Ryan Tannehill was let go. As much as I love Will Levis, he doesn’t look like the guy, and with a new coaching staff, they will want to bring in their quarterback. Cam Ward has seemed like the pick for over a month now. He has the right balance of skill and upside. They have a ton of holes, but passing on a QB when you don’t know when you will get another chance at one seems illogical.
1.02: Cleveland Browns- Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
Do the Browns need a quarterback? Yes, they do, but they are still paying Deshaun Watson a ton of money, and it’s hard to imagine them not at least seeing what he can do coming back this year. They signed Joe Flacco with the hopes he could be the magical savior of their season if they needed it, or they could take a risk on Kenny Pickett. No matter who the quarterback is, they need someone to throw to. Jerry Jeudy had a great 2024, but they need a true alpha. Travis Hunter gives them that, and his skill on the defensive side of the ball can’t be overlooked.
1.03: New York Giants Abdul Carter (DE, Penn State)
With signing both Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson, it pretty much takes the quarterback out of play at this pick. The Giants have a ton of needs, and I’m sure would love to trade back, but I doubt they have a suitor even with Abdul Carter on the board. While Carter is the best pass rusher in the draft, the gap between him and the next isn’t big enough for a team to pay up to get him. The Giants need a pass rusher, so while trading back will be enticing, taking a true disruptor will be hard to pass up
1.04: New England Patriots- Will Campbell (OL, LSU)
The Patriots seemed to hit on a franchise quarterback last season with Drake Maye. Now they have a choice. Do they give him a weapon or give him protection? With a draft class that is deeper at wide receiver than at offensive lineman, I fully believe the Patriots will take Will Campbell here. This feels much like the Joe Alt pick by the Chargers last year. They could have made a splash at wide receiver, but decided to build from the trenches first. It worked for the Detroit Lions when they took Penei Sewell over wide receivers. It’s not the exciting pick for fantasy football, but the right pick for the team.
1.05 Jacksonville Jaguars- Mason Graham (DL, Michigan)
Much like the Patriots, the Jacksonville Jaguars do need a wide receiver, but they can wait. They instead invest in Mason Graham on the defensive side of the ball with this pick. A player who can stop the run and get after the quarterback. He is a beast in the middle of the D line. His presence on that team will make them less of a pushover against the rest of the AFC. The Jaguars’ front office has made a ton of statements about the type of player they want, and I think this fits it.
1.06: Las Vegas Raiders- Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
The team with the most need for a running back gets the best running back in the draft. How good is Ashton Jeanty, and how good can he be on the Raiders? Some will say Bijan Robinson levels. Others say LaDainian Tomlinson. Two very lofty comparisons. The Raiders don’t have the best draft history, but have started to change. They took Brock Bowers last year, so maybe there is a new thinking of going more with best player available versus trying to find an amazing upside.
1.07: New York Jets- Armand Membou (OL, Missouri)
Before free agency, the Jets seemed like a team poised to take a quarterback in the draft. They changed all of that by signing Justin Fields to hopefully be the franchise guy. It provides a ton of upside for both Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson. There are still holes, including tight end, but I expect new head coach Aaron Glenn to follow the Lions’ example and protect his quarterback with Armand Membou over a pass catcher.
1.08: Carolina Panthers- Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
This is where the draft gets interesting. The Carolina Panthers need a wide receiver and an edge rusher. With no wide receivers gone, they could take one here. The issue for the Panthers is that they don’t pick again until pick 57, late in the second round. So they either need to hit a home run or trade back and acquire more picks. Being in front of the New Orleans Saints means they will get some calls from quarterback-needy teams, especially with Shedeur Sanders on the board.
Ultimately, I think the Panthers say put. The other glaring need is a cornerback. They only have 6 cornerbacks on the roster currently. The Panthers stay at 8 and select Jahdae Barron from Texas. It’s probably not the home run fans want, but he will bring plenty of quality snaps for the Saints defense.
1.09: New Orleans Saints- Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
The Saints are almost forced into this pick. Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that could keep him out all of 2025. That would leave Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener at the helm. While I believe Rattler is a good quarterback, it looks like the Saints would rather start over. That’s why they pick Shedeur Sanders here. If Carr was fully healthy or at least fully committed to the team, I could see the Saints going with Walter Nolen or Kenneth Grant here.
Trade Alert
1.10: Miami Dolphins (trade w/Chi)- Kenneth Grant (DL, Michigan)
This is the first trade of this draft. Since this is the first year that every team holds their first-round pick, and the class is deep, it makes trades very hard to come by. The Chicago Bears move back 4 spots and pick up an extra pick. I project the trade to be Miami giving up 13, 48, and 135 for 10, 72, and 148. The Dolphins have a bounty of picks, so they have the assets to move.
The Dolphins jump to the front of the line of a good stretch of teams needing a defensive lineman. They do this to select Kenneth Grant. I believe they like him more than Walter Nolan or Derrick Harmon, but any of the three could be the pick. It secures the middle of the D line for the Fins and brings some winning culture from the Michigan Wolverines.
1.11: San Francisco 49ers- Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
The 49ers let a ton of known names leave this offseason. Fantasy managers are aware that Deebo Samuel and Jordan Mason are gone, but so are Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. So what does that mean for the draft? Well, names most people don’t know are Charvarius Ward and Isaac Yiadom. Those two players combined played 700 snaps in coverage last year. The 49ers have a clear need at cornerback. Enter Will Johnson here at the 11th pick. He provides lasting assurance in the defensive backfield. The Niners could O-Line with Kelvin Banks here.
1.12: Dallas Cowboys- Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
The Dallas Cowboys need a wide receiver. They simply can not go into the season with KaVonte Turpin and Jalen Tolbert across from stud CeeDee Lamb. Should the Cowboys wait to get one? I think they should, but won’t. They will not only take one but shock everyone by passing on who everyone believes is the best one in the class in Tet McMillian. Instead, they take Matthew Golden. First, they get a Texas product that adds that extra level of excitement. Second, they get a field stretcher who can add that level to the offense.
I think the Cowboys should go get Jalon Walker or another pass rusher. They are still in negotiations with stud defensive end Micah Parsons. They could bring in someone to either replace him or be mentored by him. Reports are that they offered Parson a massive contract, but he has yet to sign. The fact that they offered him a contract makes me believe they expect Parson to be there long term and can address other needs here.
Trade Alert
1.13: Chicago Bears (Trade w/ Mia)- Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
With the trade back, the Bears get the player they need and could have had earlier, but they pick him up and gain more draft assets. Malaki Starks brings youth to the position and is eventually a replacement for Kevin Byard, Jonathan Owens, and Jaquan Brisker. All of whom are free agents after this year, and Byard and Owens are over 30 years old. Yes, Ben Johnson is an offensive-minded coach, but he knows he has to stop teams as well. With the extra assets from trading back, the Bears have 3 more picks in the top 50 to add to the offense.
1.14: Indianapolis Colts- Jalon Walker (DE, Georgia)
Everyone will tell you the Colts need a tight end. They do, but that doesn’t mean they will select one in the first half of the first round. First, the offense doesn’t involve the tight end. Secondly, the team has so many other holes to fill. With so many holes, getting someone with versatility would go a long way. Jalon Walker provides that. Some will call him a defensive end. Some will call him a linebacker. He can line up anywhere on the defense and excel. The Colts will be able to address the tight end later or just roll with what they have.
1.15: Atlanta Falcons- Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)
The Falcons have very few draft picks in this draft. They only have 5 to start the draft. The Falcons were very busy in free agency, signing 19 players. Most of them were on the defensive side of the ball, and it continues with drafting Mykel Williams here. Williams gives them the needed pass rush that they have been missing. A local Georgia product will bring that excitement for fans and hopefully be able to stop the bleeding on yards and points the Falcons have been giving up lately.
1.16; Arizona Cardinals- Kelvin Banks (OL, Texas)
The Cardinals seem to have the heavens shining down on them here. They could go wide receiver for the second year in a row and take Tet McMillian, but instead, they look to improve the run game by selecting Kelvin Banks. Banks provides them the ability to move things around on the offensive line as needed. Something they had to do last year with Kelvin Beachum. This is good for James Conner and last year’s draft pick, Trey Benson.
1.17: Cincinnati Bengals- Josh Simmons (OL, Ohio State)
The Bengals are in negotiations with Trey Hendrickson. I believe they will sign him. If they don’t, I believe they will get a high enough pick to draft his replacement. So what do they do here at 17? The Bengals just spent a ton of money on Tee Higgins. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are getting paid. With all that invested to score points, you need to make sure that Burrow has the time to get the ball to them. That is what Josh Simmons brings. He doesn’t need to start right away, but with multiple starters set to hit the free agent market after this year, Simmons
1.18: Seattle Seahawks- Tet McMillian (WR, Arizona)
The rich get richer. After drafting the top wide receiver two years ago in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Signing a future Hall of Famer in Cooper Kupp this offseason. The Seahawks now get the top-rated wide receiver much later than most people expected him to go. Tet McMillian brings another weapon to the offense and can learn from Kupp. It’s going to make a hard decision for fantasy managers in drafts. The Seahawks would have loved to get Banks or Simmons here, and if they fall, they will, but it seems too early for Greg Zabel or another O-line man. The Seahawks may receive a trade offer here.
1.19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
Shemar Stewart might be the most divisive player in the early part of the draft. Is he a defensive end or a nose tackle? The inconsistent production in college leaves some thinking he goes as late as the late second round. I think the Buccaneers are willing to take on the pure athleticism of Stewart and mold him into what he can be. Stewart can rotate in with Vita Via or move outside when needed. It’s a pick that is meant to help the Bucs continue to rule the NFC South.
1.20: Denver Broncos- Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
This is going to be the most interesting spot in the draft. If a team wants a quarterback, trading ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes sense. The Broncos probably want to trade back. I think ultimately they stay where they are and get a weapon for the offense. We know Sean Payton loves utilizing a tight end in creative ways, and Tyler Warren is that player. Some will say Colston Loveland is better suited, but Warren just had better production in college.
1.21: Pittsburgh Steelers- Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)
The Steelers have been linked to a quarterback all offseason. When they didn’t sign Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, it was a given they would draft one early. They almost have to take one here. They don’t draft again till pick 83. By then, all the good quarterbacks will probably be gone. I like Jalen Milroe over Jaxson Dart here. I think they both have rushing upside, but Milroe is the better runner. Based on the Steelers’ taking a shot on Justin Fields last year makes me believe they want to implement an offense that utilizes a quarterback’s legs.
1.22: Los Angeles Chargers- Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
This is not only a realistic pick but also a dream pick. Jim Harbaugh gets his former tight end to be the new tight end for the Chargers. Colston Loveland brings a dynamic that Ty Conklin and Will Dissly don’t have. The familiarity with Harbaugh’s offense scheme means he can be a Week 1 starter. He’s a great weapon for Justin Herbert and provides solid run blocking got Najee Harris.
1.23: Green Bay Packers- Trey Amos (CB, Mississippi)
The Packers are in a tough spot here. They need a corner and take Trey Amos. It might be a bit of a reach. Trading back is ideal, but I don’t see many teams looking to move up here. There just isn’t a massive need or potential run on a position. A team with an early 2nd round pick could try to get back in the mix here to select a quarterback, but I don’t think the Packers want to go that far back. Trey Amos will probably be gone before then. The Packers need help on the defensive line as well, but the scheme fit here doesn’t make sense with who is available.
1.24: Minnesota Vikings- Walter Nolen (DL, Mississippi)
Back-to-back Mississippi players as the Vikings draft the heir apparent to Harrison Phillips in Walter Nolen. Nolen has a ton of power and strength to stuff the run in the middle. He needs to work on his technique, but learning from Phillips will do wonders for him. He provides the Vikings with some youth on defense. The Vikings don’t pick again till pick 97 and only have 4 total picks in this draft. Another great spot for a team to trade up, as the Vikings might be willing to move back cheaper than the Packers or Texans. A team looking for an offensive line guy makes sense, but with three or four first-round talents still available, the need to move up isn’t there yet.
Trade Alert
1.25: Baltimore Ravens (Trade w/ Hou)- Greg Zabel (OL, North Dakota State)
We finally get our second trade of the draft. The Ravens move up here to be first in line of teams looking for an offensive lineman. They have the most draft picks compared to the other teams. The Texans gain a good number of assets. The trade will be 25 and 166 going to the Ravens for picks 27, 91, and 136 to the Texans. Greg Zabel is the most versatile of the linemen available. After losing 2024 starter Patrick Mekari and needing a long-term replacement for Ronnie Stanley, they needed to add someone. Zabel gives them flexibility with who goes where and can easily slide Week 1.
1.26: Los Angeles Rams- Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
The Rams have been one of the best drafting teams we have ever seen. They seemingly get another screaming value here in Jihaad Campbell. They could go offensive line, but with a ton of day three picks, they should be able to find a diamond in the rough or move up into day 2 to find one. Campbell, by some, is projected to be a mid-first-round pick, but falls to the bottom part of the first round. He will be a force in the 3-4 scheme with last year’s defensive rookie of the year, Jared Verse.
Trade Alert
1.27: Houston Texans (trade with Baltimore)- Josh Conerly Jr (OL-,Oregon)
The Texans traded back and still got an offensive lineman. They select Josh Conerly Jr to eventually be the replacement for the two guys they signed in free agency. They spent on a free agent to protect C.J. Stroud, and now they draft to do the same. It’s a move that helps them now and in the future. The extra picks they got from the Ravens make them a player to do some damage later in the draft. Both in sheer numbers, but also trading up to get a player. Expect a running back to come to Houston sooner rather than later.
1.28: Detroit Lions- Mike Green (DE, Marshall)
The rich get richer here. The Lions have been so great at identifying defensive players and getting Mike Green here. He can be a force as a linebacker or as an edge rusher. He can be a leader on a team that doesn’t need more. It’s a great landing spot for Green and a great fit for the Lions.
1.29: Washington Commanders- Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
The Commanders were a Suprise playoff team last year. It was thanks to the play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. They then went out and added Deebo Samuel in free agency via trade. The only really lacking part of the offense is the running back. They fix that here by drafting Omarion Hampton. It could be TreVeyon Henderson, but they go to Hampton. He has the rushing ability to pound the rock and the pass-catching work to be an asset to Daniels. It’s a dangerous addition for all the other NFC teams.
1.30: Buffalo Bills- Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
The Bills and their fans will want them to trade out of this spot. Much like most teams drafting in the back part of the draft. I still don’t see a ton of reasons for teams to move up. Perhaps a team looking to take a quarterback could trade up, but with only Jaxson Dart available, they would have to love him to pay up to get him.
The Bills can’t find a trade partner and end up taking Maxwell Hairston. They need a cornerback unless they can re-sign Rasul Douglas. Hairston has shown flashes of brilliance and high-end potential but lacks consistency. If the Bills can develop him, he could be a rock star in the defensive backfield.
1.31: Kansas City Chiefs- Derrick Harmon (DE, Oregon)
The Kansas City Chiefs lost the Super Bowl because they could not stop the pass rush of the Philadelphia Eagles. Because of this, most people’s mock drafts have them taking an offensive lineman. I look at it another way. They saw what a disruptive defense can do to a great offense. The Chiefs look to replicate that by drafting Derrick Harmon. Harmon brings another pass rusher in the middle of that line. He gets to learn from Chris Jones and Jerry Tillery. He can be solid in the middle, allowing George Karlaftis to get to the quarterback on the outside. The Chiefs still have three more picks in the top 100, so there is plenty of time to draft someone on the offensive line; they could even trade up later to get one.
1.32: Philadelphia Eagles- James Pearce Jr (DE, Tennessee)
I wanted to put a trade here. It makes sense for a team to come back into the first round to grab Jaxson Dart and get the fifth-year option. I think it’s just too expensive for a team, even the Browns, who hold the next pick in the draft.
Instead, the Eagles end up taking another first-round defensive player. James Pearce Jr comes in as a super-talented player who has shown he can be a star. He will need to move to the outside in the 3-4 defense of the Eagles versus playing inside on a 4-3 defense. He’s talented enough to do that. He will be coached up and learn how to dominate. It’s also easy to learn when you have players like Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Jordan Davis playing alongside you. My initial thought was the offensive line. They need to eventually replace Lane Johnson. They just re-signed Cam Jurgens, who took over for Jason Kelce. The Eagles have plenty of picks and aren’t afraid to move up or move a player (cough, Dallas Goedert cough).
Which pick do you AGREE with or DISAGREE with in this Mock Draft? Let us know at The Fantasy Advice Network.
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