The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX Sunday night and it is now officially my favorite time of the year: National Football League (NFL) draft season.
The NFL draft is the process in which NFL teams select the top draft-eligible college athletes to join their team. It is the number one way to build a roster, as the teams add young talent to their squad with the hope of improving its Super Bowl odds. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft takes place on Thursday, April 24.
In this mock draft, I won’t be doing any trades. My goal with this specific mock draft isn’t to predict every pick correctly necessarily, but rather to explore possible routes that teams may choose to go while also familiarizing you with the top names in this years draft cycle.
1. Tennessee Titans select Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami
I have the Titans selecting a quarterback with their first pick. This is most often the direction we see the team picking first go, and it makes sense. If you’re picking first, you likely had the worst record in the league and you probably don’t have a very good quarterback. This is true for the Titans. The problem with this year’s draft class, however, is that it is not a good year to need a quarterback. There are only two quarterbacks worthy of going in the first round this year (and even that’s debatable) and They are Shedeur Sanders of Colorado and Cam Ward of Miami. Ward has a higher ceiling than Sanders in terms of arm strength and athleticism, and I have him going number one to the Titans.
2. Cleveland Browns select Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Colorado
Okay, now I look like a liar talking about how this isn’t a good year to need a quarterback. No, this is not a good quarterback class. Yes, two quarterbacks can be off the board with the first two picks. Both can be true. Sanders doesn’t have elite arm strength, but his accuracy makes him worth considering for a QB-needy team like the Browns, who have had 40 different quarterbacks start in games for them since 1999. As a Browns fan, I’m not super thrilled with the idea of drafting Sanders, but he fits nicely into head coach Kevin Stefanski’s system, and who knows, he could even be the answer that Cleveland has been looking for.
3. New York Giants select Travis Hunter, Cornerback/Wide Receiver, Colorado
Who would’ve guessed Colorado would have two players drafted in the top five of the same draft? Travis Hunter is an elite prospect who won the Heisman trophy this past year, which is given to the best college football player in the nation. Hunter played both cornerback and wide receiver at the University of Colorado, and he played both at a high level. I see him as a corner in the league who moonlights as a receiver, taking a few snaps on offense throughout the game.
4. New England Patriots select Abdul Carter, Edge Rusher, Penn State
Abdul Carter is my number one player in the class, and he falls to four here. Carter played as a linebacker before the 2024-25 season, before becoming a full-time edge rusher. As an edge rusher, Carter excelled, being easily one of the most talented in college football. While I don’t think a pass rusher is a number one priority for the Patriots, I have them going with the best player available in the first round.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars select Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
I’ve done a handful of mock drafts the past few weeks in preparation for this, and I had the Jaguars taking Mason Graham nearly every time. Graham is a good player, easily one of the most consistent in the class.
6. Las Vegas Raiders select Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona
The Raiders are a really bad team. There’s not much that they have going for them that I like. They have no good quarterbacks on their roster, but there is no other quarterback in this draft class good enough to be drafted in the first round. Therefore, I have Las Vegas selecting a pass catcher, and the best receiver on the board is Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan has great size as a receiver and he uses that size very well as a red-zone threat. I’m not sure who will be throwing him the ball, but I have McMillan at six to the Raiders.
7. New York Jets select Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan
Will Johnson was a great player at Michigan, providing ideal size and production at the corner position. There are concerns about his overall speed and willingness to tackle the ball carrier, but Johnson is easily one of the best pure corners in the class. In this mock, the Jets pair him up with Sauce Gardner to improve their secondary.
8. Carolina Panthers select Jalon Walker, Linebacker, Georgia
Jalon Walker is a fantastic athlete and versatile player. He’s been great for Georgia as a pass rusher, but that’s not all that Walker is limited to. Jalon Walker would be filling in the role that the Panthers have been missing since Frankie Luvu went to Washington.
9. New Orleans Saints select Shemar Stewart, Edge Rusher, Texas A&M
Though Shemar Stewart may have struggled with getting sacks in college, finishing with just four and a half in only three years, his pass rush ability is clearly on display. Stewart’s ability to impact the game through relentless pressure on the quarterback will shine at the next level, and I have the Saints selecting him at nine.
10. Chicago Bears select Will Campbell, Offensive Lineman, LSU
Caleb Williams is not a bad quarterback. I know his 2024 season was a bit lackluster compared to the hype he received, especially when compared to Commanders’ Rookie of the Year award-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was selected just a pick after Williams. Allowing Williams to develop is essential to Chicago’s future, and the best way to do this is to upgrade on the offensive line. Will Campbell is probably the best offensive lineman in the class, there’s no question about it. The question is whether or not he can stick at tackle. Multiple people around the league believe Campbell (as well as many of the other top linemen in this class) might translate better in the NFL as a guard due to size and arm length.
11. San Francisco 49ers select Armand Membou, Offensive Tackle, Missouri
Membou is a very technically sound prospect who can play both guard and tackle if needed. The 49ers need help on their offensive line and I have them doing that here at 11.
12. Dallas Cowboys select Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State
If you’ve seen any mock draft in the past few months, Jeanty was probably being mocked to the Cowboys. Jeanty is one of the best players in the class, and I don’t think playing a non-premium position like running back will stop him from going high in the first round.
13. Miami Dolphins select Kelvin Banks Jr., Offensive Lineman, Texas
Tua Tagovailoa has suffered so many concussions in the past few seasons that protecting him should be the number one priority for the Dolphins’ front office. Banks could be moved between guard or tackle and will provide Tagovailoa with the protection he needs.
14. Indianapolis Colts select Tyler Warren, Tight End, Penn State
All throughout last year’s draft cycle, one of my favorite fits was tight end Brock Bowers to the Colts to provide Anthony Richardson with a reliable pass catcher. Bowers (who enjoyed a phenomenal record-breaking season in Las Vegas) didn’t make it to 15 where the Colts picked. This year I have them taking the best tight end in Tyler Warren. Warren is a good player who can provide Richardson with a safety net as the Colts continue to develop him.
15. Atlanta Falcons select Mykel Williams, Edge Rusher, Georgia
Mykel Williams played hurt through a majority of 2024, though his ability when healthy is fantastic. The Falcons look to improve their defense in the first round.
16. Arizona Cardinals select Josh Simmons, Offensive Lineman, Ohio State
Although they never played together, the Cardinals pair up Josh Simmons with fellow Ohio State lineman Paris Johnson. Simmons suffered a season-ending injury in 2024, and while his health remains a concern, he offers a lot of promise at tackle if he can return to form.
17. Cincinnati Bengals select Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver, Missouri
Burden lost some of his draft stock this year due to poor quarterback play, but the Missouri receiver is easily one of the best pass-catchers in the class. Despite heavily playing in the slot, he is not limited to that role. With the future of Tee Higgins up in the air, the Bengals look to improve their receiving corps.
18. Seattle Seahawks select Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama
Seahawks general manager John Schneider has stated that he believes that guard is the most overpaid and overdrafted position in football. Guard is a big need for the Seahawks, but this time I’m trusting Schneider on his word. Jihaad Campbell is a fantastic player and explosive athlete with a versatile skill set.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Mike Green, Edge Rusher, Marshall
If you value production at the edge rusher position, look no further than Mike Green, who led college football in sacks with 17. Green was also a Senior Bowl stand out, which will definitely catch the eyes of NFL teams.
20. Denver Broncos select Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan
The 2025 class is a great class if you need a tight end. The Broncos add a reliable pass catcher for the second year quarterback Bo Nix.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers select Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
I’m not sure who the Steelers’ starting quarterback is going to be next season, but with a receiving duo of George Pickens and Emeka Egbuka, they would be set up for success. Egbuka is a very reliable and physical receiver, which is something Pittsburgh desperately needs.
22. Los Angeles Chargers select Kenneth Grant, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
This pick makes a lot of sense. Grant used to play for Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh when he was the head coach for the Michigan Wolverines. Grant has a lot of tools for him to succeed as a pass rusher, though he remains a work in progress.
23. Green Bay Packers select Jahdee Baron, Cornerback, Texas
Baron is another one of my favorite players in the class. His play style and skill set are reminiscent of Lions defensive back Brian Branch, who fell into the second round due to positional value. Packers fans should be excited about pairing up Baron with cornerback Jaire Alexander.
24. Minnesota Vikings select Tyler Booker, Offensive Lineman, Alabama
Booker is a fantastic player with great leadership qualities. Unlike many of the top linemen in this class, Booker will likely stay at guard at the professional level.
25. Houston Texans select Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas
Nico Collins is one of the best young receivers in the league, but apart from him, Houston really has nobody else. Stefon Diggs is set to hit free agency. Tank Dell suffered a devastating injury that will keep him off the field indefinitely. They desperately need help at wide receiver. Matthew Golden is an outstanding player who doesn’t drop the ball.
26. Los Angeles Rams select Tyler Conerly Jr., Offensive Tackle, Oregon
Conerly is one of the few lineman this year who are pretty much guaranteed to stick at tackle. Despite not being an amazing athlete, Conerly is a very solid player at a position of need for the Rams.
27. Baltimore Ravens select Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia
Malaki Starks is a top 10 player in this class, and him falling to the Ravens at 27 is a nightmare for me. However, due to the league’s perception on positional value, Starks is likely to fall below his worth in this class. The Ravens picking up Starks allows star safety Kyle Hamilton to go back to playing in the box, which is where he is best suited.
28. Detroit Lions select James Pearce Jr., Edge Rusher, Tennessee
With Aidan Hutchinson coming back from injury for Detroit in 2025, I think the Lions will look to pair him up with another top pass rusher. Pearce has double-digit sack potential and is the best edge rusher on the board at 28.
29. Washington Commanders select Shavon Revel, Cornerback, East Carolina
Don’t let the small school fool you. Shavon Revel is an underrated prospect at the corner position with great size and speed. The Commanders look to upgrade their secondary with arguably the best cornerback on the board at 29.
30. Buffalo Bills select Derrick Harmon, Defensive Tackle, Oregon
Derrick Harmon is such a great player on the interior of the defensive line. His ability to both rush the passer and defend the run are great, and he would be an instant upgrade for the Bills defensive line.
31. Kansas City Chiefs select Grey Zabel, Offensive Lineman, North Dakota State
The Chiefs just got annihilated in the Super Bowl by the Eagles, and the biggest thing that stood out to me is how many times Patrick Mahomes got pressured or sacked by Philidephia’s defensive line. Zabel provides Mahomes with much-needed protection as Kansas City looks to recover from the embarrassing loss.
32. Philadelphia Eagles select Walter Nolen, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman loves building through the trenches. Nolen still has plenty of developing to do, but his athleticism and potential make him a dangerous piece to add to the Eagles’ already disruptive defensive unit.
