2025 Mock Draft: Time for Countdown
Draft picture a little clearer for team, college players, so. ....
The countdown is on for the 2025 NFL Draft. College players and NFL teams have mostly declared — the players on whether they will enter the draft and the teams on where they will pick.
And fans are buzzing on social media about how the latter should address the former. How the draft will shape up and play out became a little more clear thanks to a big weekend of college and NFL postseason football.
Some of the college players who will be selected at Lambeau Field in April played Monday night when the Ohio State Buckeyes won their ninth National Championship, defeating Notre Dame, 34-23.
Meanwhile, the NFL Divisional Round took place on Saturday and Sunday, with the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles beating the Lions and Rams, respectively. They play the NFC title game in Philadelphia on Sunday. In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills, who beat Baltimore, travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs, who ousted Houston. With a win over Buffalo, KC takes yet another step closer to pro football’s first three-peat in the Super Bowl era.
Of course, fans of the losers of last weekend’s games — Detroit, Baltimore, Houston, and the Rams — now join the disappointed fray, looking with hope to draft as well as the Indy Combine (February) and the start of free agency (March).
While that is all interesting, the teams at the other end of the spectrum, with the worst records, will be in the spotlight at the top of the draft.
So we will now update our mock for this spring’s draft, scheduled for Lambeau Field on April 24. We base the order on player evaluations updated through the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. We understand that the final four teams in this draft order could change once the season concludes. So stay tuned.
Tennessee Titans (3-14): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Height: 6012 Weight: 215
The Titans appear to have struck out with quarterback Will Levis. The early second-round pick from 2023 regressed from a promising rookie season to a quarterback whose decision-making could be as erratic as a toddler with a wine list. “Son of Prime” Sanders possesses a strong arm and an aptitude for “secondary-action magic,” which in Nashville means the ability to roll right and throw a 40-yard dime while bedecked in rhinestones and sequins.
Cleveland Browns (3-14): Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
Height: 6010 Weight: 185
It took us longer than others to sour on Ewers, whom we had going this high in an earlier mock. The acquisition of QB Deshaun Watson turned out to be the Browns’ biggest blunder since the original franchise moved to Baltimore. Alabama’s Jalen Milroe could be the selection here, but we wonder if the Cleveland front office, with Sanders gone, will stick with Jameis Winston another year and build around either him or a QB selection next year.
The two-way Hunter, this year’s Heisman winner, has speed and rare explosiveness. Pair him with Denzel Ward and you might have the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. Pair him with Jerry Jeudy and you have a dynamic duo for Winston to throw to. You know his old college coach gives a thumbs up to the two-way Travis idea.
New York Giants (3-14): Cam Ward, QB, Georgia
Height: 6015 Weight: 220
The Giants may be gun-shy to commit a “lottery” pick on a QB after watching Daniel Jones suffer through two straight awful seasons. But New York feels it will need to have an answer for Jayden Daniels, who seems set on bedeviling the NFC East for the next decade.
In his first and only season at Miami (after transferring from Wash St.), Ward transformed the ‘Canes into a national power, topping the CFB in touchdown passes (39), yards per attempt (9.5) and rating (172.2). He threw just seven interceptions. Ward is a tremendous athlete but needs to prune some inconsistency from his game to be a factor at the next level.
New England Patriots (4-13): Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Height: 6056 Weight: 320
The No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye played well enough to earn his keep as the cornerstone of the Pats’ offense — at least until that rookie contract expires. In an earlier mock, we had New England finding their franchise QB a playmaker at wide receiver. We now go in a different direction. The Pats, the worst passing team in football, allowed 52 sacks this past season. To fill Tom Brady’s shoes, Maye needs to be on his feet.
Campbell is the draft’s best tackle, possessing a combination of body control, power, and nimble feet. He may not be Joe Alt as a pass-blocker, but he has enough chops to keep Maye upright. He’s also a brute as a run blocker, which should help strengthen an average Pats running attack.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13): Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Height: 6021 Weight: 202
Tempting to pick an offensive tackle to protect “franchise” QB Trevor Lawrence, and that could still be a focus, depending on whether Jacksonville hires an offense-oriented head coach.
However, the Jags’ defense is an even bigger concern, as it dragged along the bottom of the NFL statistically for pretty much the entire season. Johnson moves up dramatically from our last mock primarily because of Jacksonville’s desperation for talent on the back end. The Michigan cover man has ideal size, and, even though he does not have elite top-end speed, he possesses the savvy and technique to play any type of coverage. Johnson will make life easier for star ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, and vice versa.
Las Vegas Raiders (4-13): Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Height: 6041 Weight: 212
If Ward or Sanders drops and is available, that players lands in Vegas. Or the Raiders could try again to address their QB needs through free agency, though that did not work out so well with the signing of Gardner Minshew.
If both are gone, as we suspect, we predict the Raiders will bypass Jalen Milroe and take McMillan, the big receiver from Arizona. Though not a burner, McMillan is a fluid, powerful receiver accustomed to putting up numbers, as his 10-catch, 304-yard, four-TD day in the 2024 season opener against New Mexico testifies. He reminds us a bit of former Raider Davante Adams, and putting him with Brock Bowers will give the quarterback Vegas eventually rolls the dice on some formidable receivers to work with.
New York Jets (5-12): Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
Height: 6021 Weight: 252
We honestly think the Jets will give Aaron Rodgers another year — he says he plans to play in 2025 — and focus this pick on the defensive side of the ball. Efforts to work Haasan Reddick into the lineup fell flat on their face, and it’s unlikely the former Pro Bowl end and current free agent will return.
Frankly, New York could go two ways here. Mason Graham would be a welcome addition to a Jets run defense that needs more punch in the middle. Maybe it’s the No. 11 in navy blue and white that conjures comparisons to another ex-Nittany Lion, but Carter does have a Micah Parsons'-like burst and rare athleticism. In the near term, the rangy rusher will be a terrific bookend to Will McDonald. In a couple of years, Carter could take over as the main force in the Jets’ front seven.
Carolina Panthers (5-12): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Height: 6025 Weight: 323
The Panthers have to feel better about how Bryce Young finished his sophomore campaign. In our last mock, we saw Carolina taking Travis Hunter, so going after a dynamic receiver to help Young’s development is an option. But the league-worst Panthers’ run defense was dreadful. With the Jets passing up Graham, the Panthers grab him. The big Michigan defensive tackle presents a nice blend of agility, ferocity and power that makes him hell to uproot on running plays.
New Orleans Saints (5-12): James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Height: 6042 Weight: 243
Though he did have three sacks in the final four games, Cam Jordan’s production has fallen off a cliff the last two seasons, and end Chase Young may depart via free agency. Pearce has an eruption off the corner that will have older Saints fans recalling the days of Pat Swilling. His detractors argue that Pearce is not much use against the run, and with the Saints finishing next to last in that department, they may opt to reach for DT Kenneth Grant. But with top-flight divisional passing offenses residing in Tampa Bay and Atlanta, getting a disruptive edge force seems to be a greater priority.
Chicago Bears (5-12) Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Height: 5085 Weight: 215
In our two previous mocks, we had Jeanty going to Dallas, and he may still end up there. But new Chicago head coach Ben Johnson loves a power-and-scorch running game, and, in Jeanty, he gets it all in one package. Yes, the 5-8 ex-Boise State standout is short, but so was Barry Sanders, and it is not a stretch to compare the two. Jeanty’s vision and change of direction are elite and his exceptional power will allow him to be an effective inside runner in the NFL. He also has terrific receiving skills for a back and will be a fearsome check-down weapon for Caleb Williams.
For the franchise of Sayers and Payton, here is your next great back.
San Francisco 49ers (6-11): Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas
Height: 6036 Weight: 320
No change here since our last mock. The 49ers and GM/President John Lynch love themselves some first-round D-linemen — the team has drafted five since 2015 — so a defensive tackle might be an option here. But with Trent Williams failing to get younger and inconsistency plaguing Colton McKivitz, the 49ers need to fortify the protection for QB Brock Purdy, who will command a princely salary this offseason.
Projected as a guard by some, Banks has the reach to play tackle and the nasty disposition to fit into the 49ers’ physically punishing mindset. And not to dismiss the obvious, but somewhere down the line, we see him lining up next to current 49ers guard Aaron Banks and letting the wordplay just flow: “The Banks are closed” or “a run on the Banks” — the possibilities are probably limited but seem endless right now.
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-10): Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Height: 6032 Weight: 339
As the following breakdown makes clear, we are all over the place on what Dallas will do. If Jerry Jones decides not to re-sign Rico Dowdle in free agency, and the Bears bypass a running back at No. 10, then Ashton Jeanty becomes a Cowboy. But we think one of these two conditions will be met, so we lean to the Cowboys to try to fix a run defense that allowed 137 yards per game. Grant is nothing special as a pass-rusher, but he boasts the size and force to command double teams for at least two downs.
Of course, the path Dallas takes could be determined by whoever their next head coach is. With Dak Prescott a year older and not getting healthier, could Jones and the front office pull the trigger on Jalen Monroe?
Miami Dolphins (8-9): Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Height: 6015 Weight: 225
This pick is based less on need than a pessimistic view of Tua Tagovailoa’s availability next season and the years beyond. If they don’t go for Milroe, then a Kelvin Banks (if he falls) or Alabama’s Tyler Booker — interior offensive linemen to protect Tua — would be options.
Milroe’s stock has been climbing throughout 2024, and he may end up being a top-10 selection when all is said and done. The Crimson Tide QB reminds some of Jalen Hurts, another former ‘Bama signal-caller, but with an even stronger arm and more top-end speed as a runner. Some scouts ding Milroe for his pocket presence and spottiness when it comes to anticipating receivers breaking open. In that way, he demonstrates some of the things that Anthony Richardson was flagged for in the 2023 draft.
Indianapolis Colts (8-9): Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Height: 6045 Weight: 322
Like the Dolphins, the Colts need some interior bulk to give Anthony Richardson time to throw. In our last mock, we had Indy taking Jalen Milroe, but Richardson showed signs late in 2024 of figuring some things out. The second-year quarterback needs better protection, and Booker is just the man. The Alabama guard has strong, violent hands and a powerful base. He is mobile enough to develop into a solid pass protector and a force as a pulling guard.
Atlanta Falcons (8-9): Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
Height: 6036 Weight: 285
The pick of Scourton works for an Atlanta defense that needs to ramp up the pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Matthew Judon acquisition was largely a bust — the former Pats Pro Bowl DE was slow to return from a 2023 season-ending injury and recorded 5.5 sacks this year. The former Texas A&M product, Scourton, plays with relentless energy and has powerful hands that allow him to collapse the pocket and penetrate into the backfield. He gives offensive tackles a lot to think about, including a wicked spin move that he uses to beat pass blockers to the inside. The Falcons also need a safety, so they’ll likely consider homegrown Malaki Starks.
Arizona Cardinals (8-9): Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Height: 6042 Weight: 265
Several pass rushers could leave the Cardinals for free agency, so addressing the edge will be given priority with this pick. Williams is a rangy pass rusher skilled at converting speed to power. He has the frame to put on weight, and he may need to do just that to be a reliable run defender. Williams will also need to improve what some critique as a slow first get-off if he is to evolve into a quality edge rusher.
Cincinnati Bengals (9-8): Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Height: 5112 Weight: 205
Joe Burrow gives a vigorous fist pump when he learns of this selection. Burden drops several spots since our last two mocks, but the All-American is still a powerfully built dynamic playmaker who, like current Bengal superstar Ja’Marr Chase, is both a challenge at the point of the catch and difficult to tackle in space. (He ranked second in the nation in 2023 with 725 yards after the catch.)
This move becomes necessary if Cincinnati is unable to re-sign Tee Higgins. If they do bring him back, then offensive tackle Josh Simmons from Ohio State could be an option.
Seattle Seahawks (9-8): Josh Conerly Jr., T, Oregon
Height: 6036 Weight: 315
Current Seattle guard Laken Tomlinson is set to hit free agency'; OT Abraham Lucas, a quality player, struggles to stay healthy; and interior offensive line selections in recent drafts have not panned out. Conerly Jr., the former Oregon Duck, stays in the Pacific Northwest, where he can use his athleticism and explosiveness to protect a battered Geno Smith, who is simply getting to old for this sh*t.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7): Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Height: 5106 Weight: 180
Call him “Bail” Bond because that’s what corners do when playing press against the Texas receiver with 4.28 speed. Bond’s acceleration is elite, and he tracks the ball well on deep throws. Mike Evans is aging, and it’s right to question whether Chris Godwin will return in 2025 to pre-dislocated ankle-injury form. Rookie receiver Jalen McMillan came on strong at the end of the year, and the thought of adding another home run hitter on the flanks will suit Baker Mayfield and his attack-downfield mentality just fine.
Denver Broncos (10-7): Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Height: 6056 Weight: 261
No individual Denver tight end did much to impact Sean Payton’s offense in 2024 — none had more than 19 catches in 2024. The head coach will want to provide quarterback Bo Nix a middle-of-the-field threat along the lines of Jimmy Graham, whom Payton coached in New Orleans. Warren may not possess Graham’s All-Pro athleticism, but he is an athletic, physical target who possesses an impressive catch radius.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7): Elic Ayomanor, Stanford, WR, Stanford
Height: 6016 Weight: 210
Russell Wilson and the offense was dormant in the five-game losing streak that closed out the Steelers’ season. An impulse would be to take a quarterback, but some make the case they already have a young signal-caller with upside in Justin Fields. Pittsburgh needs to be more explosive on offense, but drafting an undersized speedy receiver (say, Oregon’s Tez Johnson) would not fit the Mike Tomlin stereotype of a tough-nosed blocking wideout.
Ayomanor does fit. The Cardinal star wideout is a big, physical receiver who can make contested catches (note, over Travis Hunter), move the chains, and block on the outside. He’s got solid speed and shows the hands to make some spectacular grabs.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-6): Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
Height: 6051 Weight: 290
In our last mock, we had the Chargers taking Ayomanor, but the emergence of rookie Ladd McConkey and improvement of second-year receiver Quentin Johnston eliminates that need.
Linebacker/DE Khalil Mack turns 34 in a month, and bookend Joey Bosa comes off an injury-plagued 2024. Stewart played in the shadow of Nic Scourton, and did not put up eye-popping numbers. However, Chargers’ second-year DC Jesse Minter will love Stewart’s long-framed, NFL-ready body and ability to line up on the edge and inside.
Green Bay Packers (11-6): Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Height: 6002 Weight: 190
Cornerback Jaire Alexander is 27 and comes off a string of injury-riddled seasons — he’s played in 15 of Green Bay’s last 37 games — and he holds down the third-highest salary commitment for 2025. It makes sense for the Packers to look for his replacement. Morrison recorded four passes defensed and 20 tackles in six starts before a hip injury in October ended his 2024 season.
That injury issue could knock the talented corner out of the first round, but assuming a complete return to health, Morrison possesses the size, athleticism and football IQ to be a 10-year starter, if not a Pro Bowl-caliber DB. Also, the pressurized environment inherent to Notre Dame football will smooth the transition to playing on the hallowed grounds of Lambeau.
Minnesota Vikings (14-3): Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Height: 5110 Weight: 200
A kicker for the ousted Vikings is that a number of defensive backs are set to hit free agency, including Pro Bowler Byron Murphy. Barron is a stocky, powerful corner who has the smarts and versatility to play all over the backend. He will also be terrific in run support at the next level.
Houston Texans (10-7): Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6006 Weight: 205
The injuries to receivers Stefon Diggs and, later, Tank Dell blew apart what was once the AFC South’s best receiving corps. Dell’s injury may cost him 2025, and Diggs could bolt in free agency. Egbuka, Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions, is a fluid yet physical athlete who tracks the ball well and uses leverage and subtlety to separate from defenders. He will give another ex-Buckeye, quarterback C.J. Stroud, a weapon to throw to and will take some of the attention away from Pro Bowler Nico Collins.
Los Angeles Rams (10-7): Aireontae Ersery, T, Minnesota
Height: 6051 Weight: 325
Free agency could take away starting tackles Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom. The Rams allowed five sacks in their Divisional Round loss to Philadelphia, so Sean McVay and Les Snead will put a premium on protecting an aging Matthew Stafford. Ersery is a massive tackle with the quick feet, long arms and powerful punch to be a formidable pass-blocking presence.
Baltimore Ravens (12-5): Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Height: 6006 Weight: 205
No. 27 overall is probably too high to select a two-point-conversion specialist … What!? Too soon? The Ravens’ secondary played better down the stretch, but we can’t discount how awful Baltimore’s usually tough pass defense played for much of 2024. Starks comes off a bit of a down year, so he drops to the back end of the first round, but he still maintains great body control and was the best safety in college football in 2023. GM Eric DeCosta will be mindful of that.
Detroit Lions (15-2): Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Height: 6036 Weight: 248
What a week for the Lions, huh? You lose to Washington. You lose offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to a division rival. You keep Dan Campbell. How long will this misery go on?
The loss of Aidan Hutchinson really showed up in the Divisional Round collapse. Presumably, the All-Pro DE comes back healthy, but Detroit still needs depth along the defensive line. Green is a high-motor, highly creative and productive pass rusher, with fierce closing speed, who will complement Hutchinson. Some will knock Green because of his Sun Belt competition and because he did not become a full-time starter until this past season. We say Brad Holmes and the Detroit front office looks past those concerns.
Washington Commanders (7-4): Barrett Carter, ILB, Clemson
Height: 6005 Weight: 230
The modern NFL passing game might be phasing out the need for inside linebackers, but that trend may reverse in the next few years. Carter is a fast, athletic inside linebacker, who showcases the versatility that the team covets. Veteran Bobby Wagner came through with another impactful season, but he has to be nearing the end of his stellar career. Carter will have the perfect mentor in Wagner.
Buffalo Bills (8-2): Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas
Height: 6062 Weight: 280
We had Buffalo going for a wideout in our last mock. However, young receivers Khalil Shakir and Keon Colemen hold out promise that this could be a strong corps in the not-too-distant future. And Amari Cooper’s production might jump in his second year with the team.
A younger Von Miller isn’t walking through that door, so Jackson seems like a solid addition. The ex-Razorback has very long arms, plays with his speedometer in the red and will complement Greg Rousseau on the other side. But he also has the frame to put on weight and move to the inside in certain situations. At Arkansas, he played all along the line, so his versatility will be prized in Buffalo, too.
Philadelphia Eagles (8-2): Harold Perkins, OLB, LSU
Height: 6005 Weight: 225
The Eagles rebuilt their secondary with their 2024 draft haul. With this pick, they will reinforce their front seven. Perkins is an undersized ‘backer who may struggle to stack blockers against the run until he gains some weight. But his elite quickness and instincts could make him a tremendously versatile and valuable addition to Vic Fangio’s unit.
Kansas City Chiefs (16-1): Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Height: 6001 Weight: 195
In our last mock, for no particular reason, we predicted Andy Reid and the front office choosing Carson Beck. But since the Chiefs seemed to strike gold in last spring’s draft with one Longhorn receiver, Xavier Worthy, we say they strike Golden in this one, too — Matthew Golden’s stock is climbing after a strong CFB postseason, which saw him grab 11 passes for 249 yards in Texas’ three playoff games. Reid will love his speed and precise route-running skills. We imagine Patrick Mahomes will be enthused, too.