The 2025 NFL Draft is finally here and tomorrow, we will see 32 names get called on the stage by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. This will mark the next chapter in these players (hopefully) long careers.
In my previous mock draft, I said the Raiders would trade up to select Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders with the first overall pick. That was before they went out and obtained Geno Smith to pair back up with Pete Carroll.
With how Cam Ward has been talking recently regarding offensive players on the Titans such as Calvin Ridley, Tyjae Spears, and Tony Pollard, this seems like a lock with the first overall pick. Cam Ward would be 14th quarterback in the last 20 years to be selected first. This will mark Miami (FL)’s third first overall pick in NFL Draft history. The others include Vinny Testaverde (1987) and Russell Maryland (1991).
Travis Hunter made history in high school when he decommitted from Florida State University after nearly two years to attend Jackson State University as the Overall No. 1 Recruit in the nation. He became the first five-star recruit to sign with an HBCU or FCS school, making it the most surprising move in college football recruiting.
Now, he lands as the second overall pick, heading to the Cleveland Browns to help turn an organization around. Because he is able to play both WR and CB, he fills two positional needs for the Browns with the second pick.
Ashton Jeanty will become the highest running back drafted since Saquon Barkley was drafted by the New York Giants in 2018. Is it fitting that it’s the Giants trading away the pick to the Chicago Bears to let that happen?
The Boise State running back lands in Chicago with a new offensive minded head coach, second year starting quarterback, a young receiver core, and behind a newly built offensive line. The new head coach, Ben Johnson, gets a running back that can be a force and will take pressure off Caleb Williams to make plays down the field.
The Patriots were able to get their QB last year by drafting Drake Maye and then gave him a WR to throw the ball to with Stefon Diggs. Now they protect their franchise QB by drafting the best OT in the draft. This is a no brainer pick here.
After losing out on trading up to get Ashton Jeanty, the Jaguars need a lot to turn their team around, and they load up their defensive line with the best player on the board.
The Browns shock a lot of people here by trading up to get Shedeur Sanders to pair up with Travis Hunter. The two have chemistry and a will to win at every level. Just a few years after the Houston Texans trade up to the 3rd pick to get Will Anderson after selecting CJ Stroud with the 2nd pick, the Browns do something similar.
The Jets took a chance by signing Justin Fields to a two-year deal, so they continue helping him out by getting him Tetairoa McMillan. This now gives Fields McMillan, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall. They will find some addtional help on the offensive line in rounds two and three.
Similar to the Jaguars, the Panthers could use quite a bit. But they find themselves staring down probably the best player in the entire draft at the 8th overall pick. They can’t wait to get the card turned in.
The Saints didn’t get Shedeur Sanders after all since the Browns traded up. Their next options at quarterback is to either go with second-year player Spencer Rattler, trade for a veteran like Kirk Cousins, or draft someone in the later rounds of this draft.
So with the 9th overall pick, the Saints get Luther Burden to pair with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.
The Giants are back on the clock and select an offensive lineman to help protect Russell Wilson. They may look at a quarterback later in the draft to compete for the QB2 role.
The 49ers believe they can lock down their offense, assuming all players return to the field healthy. This way, they attempt to rebuild the defensive front they once were known for.
The Cowboys needed one of the players in the first eleven spots to fall to them, and they didn’t. So the Cowboys go with the next best player on the board on the defensive side to pair on opposite sides with Micha Parsons.
The Dolphins have history in messing up their first round picks and drafts in general. They take the senior defensive back from Texas to build up their secondary.
I don’t know that I’ve seen a single mock draft this off-season that doesn’t have the Colts selecting Tyler Warren in this draft. Which means one thing, Chris Ballard will not draft Tyler Warren and he will draft a defensive lineman here instead.
But Tyler Warren is a need for the Colts at tight end as their current players at the position should not be starting in the UFL, let alone the NFL.
Falcons continue building, this time on the defensive side of the ball. With a young offensive core, the Falcons just got overall better by getting a stud linebacker.
Taking one of the best corners in the draft is a no brainer for the Cardinals. I’m not too worried about their offense figuring it out, as the pieces are there.
If the Bengals even consider drafting any position that isn’t on the defensive side of the ball, the ownership should sell the team. They have the most money locked up into three players on the offensive side of the ball and made no major additions on the defensive side of the ball this offseason.
Seahawks could use a lot this late in the draft, but it starts with a top-tier EDGE rusher in the first round.
Todd Bowles is known for defense and right now, it’s not looking so good. This is the start of building up the type of defense that Bowles is known for.
It’s actually kind of amazing that one of the best receivers Ohio State has seen recently has fallen this far, but the Broncos pounce on it to give Bo Nix another receiver to throw the ball to. Now with Courtland Sutton and Emeka Egbuka, the Broncos are looking a lot more dangerous.
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan believes that this is a good QB draft class. Of course, the last time they took a QB in the first round, it was Kenny Pickett and he was the only QB taken that early.
The Steelers let Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk this off-season. They haven’t been able to get Aaron Rodgers to sign, either. So drafting Jaxson Dart is a good sign for the orgnaization to move forward. With that being said, I think Rodgers will end up signing with the Steelers are “mentoring” Dart for a year or two.
The Chargers need to build in the trenches, which is what fomer Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is known for. So what does he do? Draft a Michigan defensive lineman.
The Packers haven’t drafted a pro-bowler in the first round in a while. They are almost guranteed to pick the wrong player in the first round lately or make a highly questionable decision. Insert Matthew Golden to join the receiver room that consists of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks. Golden might be better than three of them – but still not startable in fantasy.
The Vikings could use some work in their secondary to slow offenses down while their side of the ball light things up so they draft a defensive back.
The Texans could have used Matthew Golden or any of the wide receivers that could go in the first round. They didn’t get them so they go with the other thing they need a ton: offensive lineman.
I thought about going with a defensive player here, but the Rams could still use some help on the offensive line and protecting Matthew Stafford.
This is a luxury pick here for the Ravens as they have a lot of the team figured out. Drafting Nic Scourton will help the defense with depth.
The Lions draft Tyliek Williams, a dominant interior lineman. At Ohio State, he proved his worth over three seasons. In 2021, he posted five sacks and 16 tackles. By 2023, he tallied 54 tackles, three sacks, and five passes defended.
I know what you are thinking here… Omarion Hampton. Cam Skattebo would have been RB2 in fantasy last season in college football. He had more rushing yards, receptions, and touchdowns than Hampton. He’s an underrated running back and will fit right into the RB role in Washington.
The Bills have invested in the offense and need to bulk up on the defensive side of the ball. Benjamin Morrison was one of the best players on the playoff team that Notre Dame put out last season. One of the pillars of that defense now lands in Buffalo.
This is a pick that I have been set on for a while now. Colston Loveland is the second-best TE in the draft and not many at that position go in the first round. Pick 31 is the second round and the Chiefs get their future repalcement for Travis Kelce.
Well, would you look at that… the Philadephia Eagles defense adds another Georgia Bulldog.
