We’ve finally made it to Draft Week. No more speculation, no more reports about a player’s 40-yard dash time, (almost) no more waiting. All of the information has been logged away. And with that, we can try to put forth the most accurate Mock Draft possible as we await the actual thing.
The rules have changed. Now, I’ll be able to include trades since we have a pretty good idea of who’s picking where. On Draft Night, we’ll likely see at least one or two trades, so this exercise will try to predict and reflect that. With that in mind, let’s get into it.
1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Ward has been the choice since the end of Miami’s season, we just had to wait and see who would be making the pick. Not only does he give the fans something to cheer for, but Ward gives the Titans the upside of a franchise quarterback, something the franchise hasn’t had since the days of Steve McNair.
2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, WR, Colorado
Now that the no-trade shackles have been removed, I’m tempted to give a team the opportunity to move up for Hunter. Fortunately for Browns fans, it’s more likely that the team sticks and picks the best player in the draft. Travis Hunter gives the Browns a true WR1 with upside, while also moonlighting as a rotational corner. This is as can’t-miss as it gets.
3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
New York has taken a long look at quarterback prospects over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, none of said prospects are worth the value of the 3rd overall pick. Abdul Carter is, and he should bring some juice to a defensive front that already has Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns. Maybe New York gets their QB later, but Carter is just too tantalizing to pass up.
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, Louisiana State
This is where the draft starts to get murky. I’ve thought about Ashton Jeanty and Jalon Walker at this spot recently, but I don’t think the Pats brass wants Drake Maye to keep taking hits. The team has been deliberate about saving the left tackle for the draft, and Campbell fits the hard-nosed style of ball Mike Vrabel will want to play.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Like the Patriots, the Jaguars have both defensive and offensive line needs. New England going with Campbell allows the Jags to add a difference-maker on defense. Walker is a natural leader and can bring a level of explosive play to a defense that needed it badly last year.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
New Raiders GM John Spytek must feel like he has to convince us that running backs matter, the way he constantly talks about Ashton Jeanty. It’s clear that the Raiders are fans of him. Here, Jeanty slips past both New England and Jacksonville, landing in a spot where he can be the featured player on offense. Finally, the Raiders can be the gritty, hard-nosed team again.
7. New York Jets – Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
Fortifying the offensive line is also an option for the Jets, but here, one of the best players in the draft falls to them. Graham can slot in alongside other first-round picks like Quinnen Williams, Will McDonald IV, and Jermaine Johnson to create one of the most dangerous defensive fronts in the league.
TRADE!
The Pittsburgh Steelers send Pick 21, a 2025 3rd Round Pick, a 2026 1st Round Pick, and a 2026 3rd Round Pick to Carolina for Pick 8, and a 2025 7th Round Pick.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (from CAR) – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Pittsburgh has done everything but add a quarterback this offseason. Here, Carolina is amenable to trading down and ruining their division rival New Orleans Saints plan to take a quarterback. Pittsburgh is finally able to add a quarterback with whom they’ve done extensive work this season. Sanders may not have the same ceiling as Ward, but he can be an effective system quarterback early in his career.
9. New Orleans Saints – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Heartbroken and a little frustrated, the Saints now have to pivot away from a quarterback at Pick 9. Here, they add Armand Membou to come in and immediately be a starter at right tackle. With the retirement of stalwart Ryan Ramczyk, the Saints start remaking their offensive line, building for their future.
10. Chicago Bears – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
No player was used in a more creative way than Tyler Warren this past season. Coincidentally, no play caller is more creative in using their players than Ben Johnson. With this selection, the Bears get a match made in heaven, gaining a player who can fill a variety of roles in the offense, and most importantly, take some of the pressure off of Caleb Williams.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas
Defensive reinforcements are popular choices for the Niners, but their offensive line has sneakily been worn down over the past few seasons. Banks can immediately be a starter at right tackle or left guard, helping the team now. In the future, he could also be an option to replace the aging Trent Williams.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Matthew Golden has been somewhat of a chalk pick for Dallas. Instead, the Cowboys select the better overall receiver in McMillan. TMAC can be a big-time ball winner and stretch the field with his size and physicality, allowing Ceedee Lamb more freedom underneath. Of the top skill players left available, McMillan fits the bill as a big-name player for Jerry Jones to select.
13. Miami Dolphins – Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Offensive line is a major need for the Dolphins. Unfortunately, all of the top tackles are gone at this point, allowing the Dolphins to focus on repairing the defense. Barron can play many roles on the back end of a defense that already struggled, and is now listening to trade offers for their best defensive back. If Ramsey plays elsewhere in 2025, Barron will become a much-needed addition.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
There isn’t a much better player/team fit than Campbell to the Colts, who are in desperate need of competent linebacker play. Campbell is an elite athlete who can bridge the Colts strong front and secondary that added multiple starters in free agency. Campbell’s labrum surgery may give him a slow start to the season, but he can be a cornerstone player for the defense once he’s back healthy.
15. Atlanta Falcons – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
If you were wondering what team had the least amount of sacks over the last 5, 10, and 20 seasons, the answer would be the Atlanta Falcons each time. The Falcons desperately need some juice on the defensive front, and Stewart is a souped-up athlete who can become a mismatch. Stewart might need a year or two of seasoning, but if he’s developed correctly, there may not be many offensive linemen who can stop him.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Will Johnson, DB, Michigan
After adding contributors to their defensive front in free agency, the Cardinals identify someone to be their CB1. Johnson has NFL length and instincts, and the willingness to gamble when necessary. Johnson helps the Cardinals continue to fortify their defense in hopes of winning the NFC West this season.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Now that the Bengals have paid their offensive stars, they’re going to need defensive contributions from rookie-contract players. Enter Harmon, a versatile DL prospect who has experience playing across the defensive front. Hopefully, Harmon can bring some of the juice the Bengals have lacked in some of their recent defensive draft picks.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Seattle is reforming their pass-catchers. While wide receiver is a popular pick for the Seahawks, Colston Loveland is the best pass-catcher left on the board. Reuniting Loveland with his former teammate, AJ Barner, can give Seattle a strong tight end tandem for Sam Darnold to rely upon.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
Teams choosing to value everything else above safety have allowed Tampa to get a Top 10 talent at this point in the draft. Starks can fit in seamlessly along the backend of a defense that should still be strong enough to keep the rest of the NFC South at bay. Nick Emmanwori could be a choice here as well on Draft Night.
20. Denver Broncos – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Following a productive free agency period, the Broncos don’t have many needs on the roster. The main need is running back, and Hampton just so happens to make it to them at pick 20. Instead of trading up, the Broncos can land a starting-caliber back in Hampton. Hampton should be able to take some pressure off of Bo Nix and allow Sean Payton to open up new sections of the playbook.
21. Carolina Panthers (from PIT) – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
After picking up some extra draft capital, the Panthers can select the player they were targeting all along. Mykel Williams is a monster athlete who can immediately improve the league’s worst run defense from a year ago. Jalon Walker has been linked to the Panthers, but Carolina has a history of going after larger edge rushers. Williams fits that bill and will bring an injection of power and athleticism to the outside linebacker room.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Last year, the Chargers went OL in Round 1 and receiver in Round 2. Here, they flip the switch and decide to give Justin Herbert a weapon with Golden. Golden can immediately be the intermediate/deep threat the offense requires to lighten the box and get the run game going. Golden and McConkey should complement each other well enough to become one of the league’s best young receiver duos.
23. Green Bay Packers – Walter Nolen, DL, Mississippi
New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was supposed to reinvigorate a stagnant defense. While the Packers defense improved from 2023, the defensive front still needs some juice. Enter Walter Nolen, whose highs are among the best in the draft. If Green Bay can draw more consistency out of Nolen, this could be the steal of the draft.
TRADE!
The Cleveland Browns send Pick 33 and a 2025 3rd Round Pick to Minnesota for Pick 24 and a 2026 6th Round Pick.
24. Cleveland Browns (from MIN) – Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Choosing to pass on a quarterback at Pick 2 has forced the Browns to find a way back into the first round. Luckily, the Vikings (who only have 4 total selections) are willing to move out of the first round. Cleveland adds a lottery ticket in Milroe, whose athleticism gives him a high floor as a rusher. Signing Joe Flacco means that Milroe can take his time and develop. In Cleveland, Milroe reunites with his former OC at Alabama, Tommy Rees, who got the best out of him in 2023.
25. Houston Texans – Tyler Booker, iOL, Alabama
Back-to-back Crimson Tide picks come down the pipe after Houston selects Booker. The Texans desperately need help along the offensive line. With the top three tackles long gone, Houston adds Booker, who can immediately become an enforcer at guard. Houston must get the offensive line back into shape if they want C.J. Stroud to continue to grow as a young quarterback.
TRADE!
The Kansas City Chiefs send Pick 31 and a 2025 3rd Round Pick to Los Angeles for Pick 26 and a 2025 6th Round Pick.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR) – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Chiefs have tried, and largely failed, to find a suitable left tackle in the past two drafts. Paying decent money for a backup tackle in free agency doesn’t dissuade them from trading up for a strong prospect. Simmons is one of the most talented prospects in the entire class. If his medicals come back clean, the Chiefs could be walking away with the best offensive lineman in the draft.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
In a similar manner to the Chiefs trying to address OT, the Ravens haven’t gotten the production from former 1RP edge rushers that they would like. Mike Green falls to the Ravens here and can instantly bring some fire to the edge rusher room. Green will have to improve as a run defender, but he can quickly become one of the best pure pass rushers in the league.
28. Detroit Lions – Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Aidan Hutchinson has been a one-man army on the Lions defensive front since he joined the team. That ends now with Detroit adding Ezeiruaku. Ezeiruaku isn’t a monster athlete by any means, but he still had high production at the college level. He won’t have to be THE guy immediately, and should fit in well as the second fiddle to Hutchinson as the Lions continue to compete in the NFC.
29. Washington Commanders – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Washington has already had success with an underrated Ohio State wide receiver; why not add another? Emeka Egbuka can be the final piece of a receiver room that has already undergone a small makeover this offseason. Having a reliable receiver that can line up anywhere will be huge for Jayden Daniels as he attempts to carry his team even further than they went in his rookie campaign.
30. Buffalo Bills – Trey Amos, DB, Mississippi
In my first Mock Draft, I said Amos could be a sneaky fit for the Bills at the end of the first round. Since then, Amos has gained a lot of momentum as a potential first-round pick. Amos makes perfect sense as a Brandon Beane selection – an athletic, toolsy player that can become a high-end starter with proper development.
31. Los Angeles Rams (from KC) – Mason Taylor, TE, Louisiana State
With the sudden control of the NFC West, the Rams need to continue to put their foot on the gas. After trying to trade up for Brock Bowers last year, the Rams move backward and get their tight end in Taylor. Despite being one of the youngest players in the class, Taylor has already produced at a high level. He can be the high-upside player that completes a reworked Rams receiving corps.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
Letting the board come to them is the best thing Philly can do. Somebody from the crowded DL/EDGE rooms will make it to the Eagles, and here it ends up being Pearce. One of the most analytically sound prospects in the class, Pearce can join a loaded edge rusher room and grow his game, potentially blossoming into one of the hardest players to guard in the league.
BONUS!
With the Vikings trading out of the first round, it’s only fair to give them a selection in this article.
33. Minnesota Vikings – Maxwell Hairston, DB, Kentucky
Moving back and collecting more picks for this year is the best-case scenario for Minnesota. Here, they’re fortunate enough to land one of the higher-upside corners in this class in Hairston. The fastest man at the Combine, Hairston, can come in and bring some juice to a DB room that needs an injection. Hairston, unfortunately has to wait to hear his name called, but joins a team that won 14 games last season and (theoretically) should be even better this year.
