NFL mock draft 2025: Updated projection goes outside the box of conventional wisdom

There’s less than a week left until the 2025 NFL Draft, and to this point we know … maybe a few things. This class has become so unpredictable that trying to put together a mock draft gets a little tricky. But that’s what makes this so fun, gaming out all of the potential possibilities that may happen come Thursday night.

We know one thing for sure: Miami QB Cam Ward is going first overall to the Tennessee Titans. Ward is already hyping up Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears on streams, he knows what the vibe is. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. So here’s what we’re going to do. This mock draft is gaming out some of the different possibilities, outside of trades up and down the board. So let’s dive in and see what we can do.

1 . Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

You can pretty much write this one in stone. Ward makes me a little bit hesitant sometimes with his reckless play, but his feel for space and flair for the dramatic give him a high ceiling.

2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Browns’ GM Andrew Berry compared Hunter to Shohei Ohtani. You don’t pass on guys you compare to Shohei Ohtani.

3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

The first curveball of the draft gets thrown here with Abdul Carter going to New York. The Giants don’t inherently have a need for another EDGE defender, but Carter gives them a burst of speed and physicality up front. Look for EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux to be on his way out if this does happen.

4. New England Patriots: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

With Carter and Hunter off the board, the Pats flip to the other side of the ball and take Membou here. He’d be going from the right side to the left, but his natural athleticism and footwork in pass protection give him a really high ceiling.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

The Jaguars could go anywhere with this pick outside of QB and special teamer and I would see the vision. Jeanty’s odds to be picked here keep getting higher, and his multi-level ability as a runner or receiver would make him an instant-impact player in the Jags new offense.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Campbell, OL, LSU

With current Raiders’ left tackle Kolton Miller and the team not seeing eye to eye on a contract extension, I wonder if the Raiders opt to take his eventual replacement in Campbell and try to find a new team for Miller. Campbell’s technique and unique core flexibility give him the chance to be a good tackle, but could also be a phenomenal guard if he moves.

7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Graham takes a little bit of a slide here, but stops at New York to form a fearsome duo with Quinnen Williams. His leverage and nonstop motor will play really well in a loaded Jets’ defensive front.

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Walker is undersized, yes, but his explosiveness and ability to win as a blitzer off the edge and up the middle of the defense make him an intriguing option in Ejiro Evero’s defense.

9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

I think this could be a spot for QB Shedeur Sanders if he continues to slide. However, in this exercise I’m sending new Saints’ head coach Kellen Moore an offensive weapon he can work with. Warren is a monster after the catch, and a competitive enough blocker to warrant being the pick this early.

10. Chicago Bears: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Williams is a dream fit for Dennis Allen’s defense, a monstrous defensive end who is the best run defender in the entire class at the position. He’s a bit stiff as a pass rusher, but his ceiling is extremely high–he won’t be 21 until after the draft.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Stewart is another defensive lineman who looks like he was created to be a top tier EDGE. He’s got a terrifying blend of power and flexibility, and I think his pass rush plan is a bit more developed than people give him credit for, while also having more room for growth. Sending him to San Francisco and DL coach Kris Kocurek could help get the best out of him.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Cowboys find themselves in a great spot with McMillan falling to them at 12. Despite some inconsistencies with focus drops, McMillan is a smooth a fluid mover for a bigger receiver, and should be a really good complement to CeeDee Lamb in the Cowboys’ offense.

13. Miami Dolphins: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Barron is having a monster draft cycle, and it ends with him being picked in the top 15. He’s a feisty corner who might be at his best at nickel, but in the worst case scenario he offers the Dolphins positional versatility and the ability to play the ball using his instincts in short areas.

14. Indianapolis Colts: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

With Tyler Warren off the board, the Colts opt to go with one of my favorite prospects in this class, Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell. Campbell is a versatile LB prospect with the range to be a factor in coverage and the instincts to play the run, making him the perfect linebacker in the modern NFL.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Mike Green is a blur off the edge who plays hard on every snap, and when he got the chance to play against higher competition he stood out. I wonder how consistently he carries his weight and he has some off-field issues, but he’ll be a great add to a Falcons’ defense that couldn’t get any pressure at all in 2024.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

The Cardinals need some size up front, and Grant is one of the best in the entire class. I worry about his pad level at times, but when he’s locked in he can be a force against the run and pass. Arizona gets a big man to help free some lanes up for their defense.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Bengals would sprint up to the podium with the card in this scenario. Harmon is a long, strong defensive tackle who has a nice set of pass rush tools in his arsenal. The Bengals knock out two birds with one stone here, getting an impactful front defender who can be a complement to Trey Hendrickson.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

This would be a home run pick for Seattle, adding a vertical element to their offense as well as someone who’s best days as a blocker are ahead of him. Loveland is a smooth route runner who didn’t fully get to show off his tools as a blocker due to an AC joint injury in 2024. The Seahawks need pass catchers, and get a really good one in Loveland.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Zabel is an outside the box pick here for Tampa, but he also fits the mold of guys that they like up front. Zabel is really athletic and has nice movement skills, but his play strength and shorter arms might be best fit for center or guard. That’s where he’ll play in Tampa, with Graham Barton potentially moving to guard.

20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up being a guy like Ohio State’s Treyveon Henderson (he could even go at 10, if we’re being honest), but with Hampton here on the board I would still go with the back from UNC. He’s a stick of dynamite with the ball in his hands, being able to break tackles and win between the tackles. The Broncos need an impactful player in their backfield who can be a good runner and receiver, and Hampton makes the most sense here.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Sanders slide stops in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers finally get the QB they’ve been wanting for a long time. I think if Sanders continues to slide like he does here, the Steelers could end up making a small jump up for him, but they get him at 21 here. Sanders is a precise passer who throws with incredible touch and timing, who might just need a little bit more help around him to truly reach his potential.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Johnson’s slide stops with his former head coach at Michigan Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers. Johnson’s speed has been raked over the coals this offseason, but when you watch him play he has such good instincts and ball skills in quarters and Cover 2 styles of defenses…which happens to be the same defense he starred at in 2023 with current Chargers’ DC Jesse Minter coaching the Wolverines’ defense.

23. Green Bay Packers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

I’m going to be completely honest: I have no clue where the Packers go with this pick. If they were to go cornerback here with CB Jaire Alexander potentially being on his way out, I could completely understand it. If they go defensive line to help boost their pass rush, it would make a lot of sense. Ultimately, I went best player available, and Egbuka would be the best player available here. He’s a professional route runner who shreds zone coverage and blocks his butt off, making him a perfect fit for the Packers’ offense.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

If the Vikings aren’t too worried about Revel’s knee injury, he feels like the perfect Brian Flores cornerback. He’s tall and got long arms, and really wants to beat the hell out of receivers at the line of scrimmage. Even after re-signing Byron Murphy Jr., the Vikings still need impact players in the secondary. Revel has a really high ceiling.

25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

If Simmons didn’t tear his patellar tendon during the college football season, he could’ve ended up going much higher. But he falls to a team that desperately needs him. He’s agile, got long arms and the disposition to finish plays in the run and passing game, and the athletic upside to be a potential monster of a left tackle for the Texans.

26. Los Angeles Rams: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Despite adding WR Davante Adams in free agency, I’m giving them Burden here to give the offense a shot of explosiveness downfield. The Rams offense was incredibly slow last season, and Burden gives them speed downfield and with the ball in his hands. He can move around the formation and allow Puka Nacua to be the power slot, and get some more productive years out of QB Matthew Stafford.

27. Baltimore Ravens: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

You thought only one jumbo jet-sized safety would be enough? Think again! Emmanwori is a big safety, but doesn’t really play that well as a tackler close to the box. Where he’s at his best is using his speed and range to fly across the field and intercept passes. The Ravens picking Emmanwori and moving Hamilton back to the nickel spot could get the best out of everyone on the roster. Don’t be surprised if they try to add competition at guard here either.

28. Detroit Lions: Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas

The Lions could look to find more depth for their offensive line, and Banks fits their bill. I think he’s going to be much better inside than outside, where his wide base and strong punch works better at guard. Graham Glasgow is going to be 33 before the season starts, so Banks could play guard for Glasgow on the left or eventually replace Taylor Decker at left tackle.

29. Washington Commanders: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

The Commanders need to turn up their pass rush, especially with Dante Fowler Jr and Jonathan Allen both gone. Ezeiruaku is a violent player with speed and burst around the edge, but has long arms and the disposition to play the run as well.

30. Buffalo Bills: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Somehow, the Bills get one of the best players in this entire class with the 30th pick. Starks is instinctive and versatile, giving the Bills’ safety room a much needed shot of athleticism and playmaking on the back end.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

If Nolen slides this far, don’t be surprised if the Eagles trade up ahead of Kansas City to draft Nolen, but here he ends up with the Chiefs. Nolen has to be more consistent as a run defender, but he’s got the athleticism and violence to be an impactful complementary pass rusher to Chris Jones.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

Jackson is one of the most fascinating prospects in the class, a guard who played his best football at tackle. He ends up in Philly to replace Mekhi Becton at right guard, but he could truly play guard or tackle at the next level.