2025 NFL Mock Draft!

Ladies, gentlemen and even Eagles fans… It is time for one of my favorite sporting events of the year -The 2025 NFL draft!

This year’s draft is not as strong talent wise as some other drafts in recent memory, however, because of that are some very intriguing things that may happen. Typically when a draft may be perceived as weaker, there will be less of a consensus meaning you’ll see a propensity for more trades or teams start reaching for players that maybe they wouldn’t be reaching for in the past. Most experts are in agreement with one thing – they don’t interpret much of a difference talent wise between say the 6th/7th overall pick and the 25th pick.

In terms of some things to look out for this NFL draft:

This is a very deep draft for defensive linemen, running backs and wide receivers. If you’re in the market for offensive line help or a cornerback, this may not be the ideal draft with a few exceptions. 

In terms of quarterbacks. I believe that three will be drafted in the first round - Cam Ward (lock for #1 overall), Shedeur Sanders (whose stock has recently fallen), and Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss. (note I don't have him in my mock, but I think teams will trade up)

I’ve seen some articles where they claim that the draft will start at number three with the New York Giants, but I disagree. I think that there will be a lot of intrigue around what the Browns do at number two, including whether or not they decide to trade. Keep that in mind. The teams to look for in terms of taking a QB (other than Tennessee who will take Ward) will be the Giants, Steelers and Saints. There is going to be some strategy involved in terms of if/when any of those teams pull the trigger to grab the QB that they want.

Three players to watch that teams may take earlier than expected:

Ashton Jeanty – RB - Boise State

Tetairo McMillan – WR – Arizona

Mykel Williams – Edge – Georgia

My favorite players in the draft this year:

Abdul Carter – DE – Penn State

Mason Graham – DL – Michigan

Luther Burden – WR – Missouri (I think he may be the sleeper of the draft)

Mike Green – Edge – Marshall

Jihaad Campbell – LB – Alabama

Grey Zbel – IOL – North Dakota State

As with all of my mock drafts, I don’t incorporate any trades as it’s impossible to know what may or may not happen that treats will happen on Thursday night and unlike your pass every team owns their first round picks this year that will be something to keep an eye on as the draft progresses. As always, I base my picks on the following – need, organizational philosophy, and head coach – meaning what are the short/long term needs for the team, does organization typically value certain positions over others, and is the head coach an offensive or defensive minded head coach and what kind of scheme do they like to run?

For those keeping score at home, 26 of my 32 2024 first round selections were selected in the first round, and correctly matched 10 in terms of draft position which is very solid – I can guarantee that won’t happen again this year, but hey, it’s all in good fun. With that said let’s get to the Mock Draft!

1. Cam Ward (Miami) –-  QB – Tennessee Titans – Only lock of the draft

2. Travis Hunter (Colorado) – CB/WR – Cleveland Browns They’ll look to trade if they can, but if they don’t I think they go Hunter as they need a draw while they’re trying to get a new stadium

3. Abdul Carter (Penn State) – Edge – New York Giants – I think the Giants (like almost any team) would be happy to trade down here, but if they don’t this is a no brainer

4. Mason Graham (Michigan) – DT – New England Patriots – Membou or Campbell can be in play here as well, but Vrabel is a defensive guy and I just don’t buy the slide of Graham

5. Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) WR – Jacksonville Jaguars- It will be McMillan or Jeanty – I think with the money they committed to Trevor Lawrence, they’ll go with a WR to match up with Brian Thomas Jr.

6. Armond Membou (Missouri) OT – Las Vegas Raiders – Membou is moving ahead of Campbell on a lot of lists so he’s the pick here. I’ve seen Jeanty receive interest here but I’m just not sure I can see a team with so many needs doing that here.

7. Will Campbell (LSU)– OT – New York Jets – Don’t be surprised if a tight end is in play here as well, but I just wonder if Aaron Glenn is going to want a building block piece rather than a position he can get later

8. Jalon Walker (Georgia) – Edge – Carolina Panthers – Panthers are in a weird spot – I feel like they can go in a bunch of different directions here. Probably the toughest team to peg in the draft.

9. Mykel Williams (Georgia) – Edge – New Orleans Saints – I think they want a QB but I just can’t see it happening here. I think they go with Williams.

10. Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) – RB – Chicago Bears – Furthest I can see Jeanty drop. I think Jeanty is also a prime candidate for a team to move up to get.

11. Mike Green (Marshall) – Edge – San Francisco 49ers – Some may call this a reach but I think Green has more raw skill than any player in the draft.

12. Matthew Golden (Texas) – WR - Dallas Cowboys – Burden will be in play here as well. I also can see Jeanty being in the mix if he drops.

13. Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) – DT - Miami Dolphins – Another team that can go in a bunch of different directions, I think they would love to trade down if possible

14. Tyler Warren (Penn State) – TE-  Indianapolis Colts – Make or break draft. They need to figure out what direction the franchise is headed and get Anthony Richardson some help ASAP.

15. James Pearce (Tennessee) – Edge - Atlanta Falcons – Hearing they love Pearce although can see Stewart in play here as well. I don’t see them going offense here no matter what.

16. Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) – Edge - Arizona Cardinals – If not edge, I can also see another WR in play as well to line up across from Harrison

17. Shamar Stewart (Texas A&M) – Edge - Cincinnati Bengals – Bengals spent huge on offense this past offseason. If they don’t shore up the defense, an offensive lineman would be the play.

18. Grey Zabel (North Dakota State) – IOL - Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel is going to be a stud in this league. The Seahawks love him and I think the only question is whether or not he drops.

19. Jahdae Barron (Texas) – CB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Barron and Will Johnson are both solid CB prospects, going to be a matter of preference.

20. Colston Loveland (Michigan) – TE - Denver Broncos – This may be further than Loveland will drop, but if he makes it here, the Broncos would be smart to pounce and get a go-to for Bo Nix.

21. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) – QB - Pittsburgh Steelers – I’m not sure if Sanders is the answer here, but how much longer are the Steelers going to be mired in mediocrity?

22. Luther Burden (Missouri) – WR - Los Angeles Chargers – Herbert got a great offensive linemen last year. He needs weapons, asap.

23. Will Johnson (Michigan) – CB - Green Bay Packers – Packers have the luxury of going into a couple of different directions as well. I think they get a CB here though. (Maxwell Hairston of Kentucky is up there too)

24. Malaki Starks (Georgia) – S - Minnesota Vikings – Starks is going to be a great player and probably will be a pro bowler – only reason he may slip this far is because of his position

25. Tyler Booker (Alabama) – IOL - Houston Texans – I love Booker. May not be a first rounder in some eyes, but he’s a culture setter and hard worker.

26. Mason Taylor (LSU) – TE - Los Angeles Rams – I think the Rams can go in a bunch of different directions here – another guy to keep an eye on is Omarion Hampton (RB).

27. Kenneth Grant (Michigan) – DT - Baltimore Ravens – Ravens may go safety here as well if Starks drops or they love Nick Emmanwori

28. Kelvin Banks (Texas) – OT - Detroit Lions – Lions need offensive line help, I think if they go Banks it would be with the intention to move him to guard

29. Nick Emmanwori – S - Washington Commanders – The Commanders are in a good position in that they really can go their favorite player on the board. WR may be in play here as well.

30. Derrick Harmon – DT - Buffalo Bills – If the Bills don’t go defensive line here, I can see Josh Conerly Jr. in play

31. Josh Simmons (Ohio State) - OT - Kansas City Chiefs – Chiefs don’t have room for luxury picks this year – they need to get offensive line help immediately

32. Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) – WR-  Philadelphia Eagles – Eagles need a plan beyond AJ Brown who took a step back this year. Jihaad Campbell is best available on my board here though.

Enjoy the draft!