We’ve reached the point in the mock draft cycle where things are starting to feel like this current NCAA March Madness tournament – chalk, chalk. But as we’ll all know by now, there are always twists and turns during the proceedings. This mock will have those, and I’ll try to provide my best explanation for each first-round pick, while including a surprising trade!
1. Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward, QB, Miami
No twists or turns here. You never know when you’ll pick first again, so get your franchise quarterback while you have the chance.
2. Cleveland Browns — Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
There’s plenty of smoke around the Browns and Carter, and I’m buying into it. For my money, he’s the best player in the class. Pairing him with Myles Garrett creates an unprecedented pass rush, but the team will obviously be on the lookout for a quarterback later in the draft.
3. New York Giants — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Are you not entertained? Jeanty is foolproof, there isn’t any risk with him. The Giants are clearly trying to win now, as GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll are on the hottest of seats. This will help make up for the Saquon Barkley blunder… at least a tad.
4. New England Patriots — Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Passing on Travis Hunter may be an unforgivable sin, but the Patriots have one of the best young corners in the league in Christian Gonzalez. Last year, they were 31st in pass block win rate and allowed the fifth most sacks in the league. Protecting young QB Drake Maye takes priority.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
A generational player, if I were the Jags, I’d play him as much as I can on both sides of the ball. He wants to do it, and he’s shown he’s fully capable.
6. Las Vegas Raiders — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Shedeur Sanders is not a priority here, in my opinion, after the Geno Smith trade. Defensive Tackle Mason Graham will be tempting, but Pete Carroll’s focus should be on finding a way to neutralize Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix. Good luck.
7. New York Jets — Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
This is a lovely scenario for the Jets, who are thin at defensive line. Graham was the top run stuffer in all of college football last season, per Pro Football Focus.
8. Carolina Panthers — Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
I haven’t seen this connection often, but it sure is a fun one. Warren is a blue-chip prospect and could immediately become Bryce Young’s favorite target. The Panthers just need playmakers of any shape and size. I’d expect a Brock Bowers-type impact in year one.
9. New Orleans Saints — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Saints are an absolute mess. They’re in major purgatory and salary cap hell. The best way out of that is to take a shot on a rookie signal caller. I like Sanders more than most and think he will be an excellent quarterback. It might just take some time to turn this team over before he can show it.
10. Chicago Bears — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Bears will be heartbroken because Jeanty is off the board, but after an offseason in which they addressed the offensive line and various defensive positions, they have the opportunity to get creative.
I think UNC RB Omarion Hampton is a reach here, but Loveland is not. He’s versatile and will potentially line up in the slot more than he does in-line. Head Coach Ben Johnson will be on a mission to just add playmakers.
11. San Francisco 49ers — Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
There might not have been a more impactful loss this offseason than the departure of LB Dre Greenlaw to the Denver Broncos. Walker is a bit of a tweener, but I don’t care if he lines up on the inside or primarily EDGE. He’s a game wrecker.
12. Dallas Cowboys — Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Golden is polished in every facet. He’s a fluid route runner with incredible hands and contested catch ability. Funding a running mate next to CeeDee Lamb is long overdue.
13. Miami Dolphins — Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Campbell’s relative lack of arm length reportedly has him sliding down draft boards. If he stays at tackle, his wingspan would be the second shortest for a starter in the league. He may ultimately kick in to guard, but I wouldn’t bet against the kid. I love this response when asked about his perceived challenge:
LSU OT Will Campbell on people scrutinizing his arm length: “For two years, nobody had any measurements on me, and nobody said anything about my play. So now, all of a sudden, arm length decides if I’m a good player or not? I think it’s BS.” pic.twitter.com/Pmpz8YQEde
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 26, 2025
14. TRADE: Los Angeles Rams (from Indianapolis Colts) — Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Woah baby. After both top tight ends are off the board, the Colts see an opportunity to bump back and gain significant equity. The Rams have reportedly tried to trade up for Matt Stafford’s successor multiple times, including last year with current Vikings QB JJ McCarthy, who was also considered a reach at the time. Keep an eye on them.
15. Atlanta Falcons — Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Falcons have been trying to find a steady pass rusher for about the last decade. Stewart is a freak of an athlete who posted a perfect RAS score. He has some refinement needed in his pass rush moves, but his raw talent will get him where he needs to be.
16. Arizona Cardinals — Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Grant, a popular name in Steelers circles, is a raw pass rusher who is difficult to move in the run game. He can play both nose tackle and three-tech, which makes him a true three down player.
17. Cincinnati Bengals — Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Bengals should take a defensive player with every pick. That’s not an exaggeration. Emmanwori, a combine freak, has the physicality to play in the box and the speed to keep up with explosive receivers.
18. Seattle Seahawks — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
This is a nice landing spot for the big wideout, as the Seahawks will look for a DK Metcalf replacement early in the draft.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Unfortunately for Todd Bowles, his Bucs have wasted some incredible efforts by his QB Baker Mayfield due to their inability to stop… anyone. Starks is one of my favorite players in the class. He’s smart, has great instincts, and can play center field as well as in the box. Starks should not and probably won’t fall this far in the draft. But if Emmanwori does pass him as reflected in this mock, someone like Tampa Bay could poach the steal of the draft.
20. Denver Broncos — Omarion Hampton, RB North Carolina
Hampton will work his way into the first round – it’s just about finding the right fit. The Broncos are building a strong offense behind QB Bo Nix, who had an exceptional rookie season. Multiple insiders have suggested that teams have North Carolina’s Hampton above Ashton Jeanty on their draft boards.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
There’s been scuttlebutt that the Steelers could target a wide receiver such as Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka with this pick – but I can’t seem to find my way off a defensive lineman. After losing Larry Ogunjobi, the Steelers have an obvious need for a day-one plug-and-play on the interior. His play against the run needs to improve and he might need to add a little weight, but his burst and pass-rushing ability are elite. I would have had Ole Miss’s Walter Nolan in this spot, but he decided to skip his workout at the Rebels Pro Day. Much was made about the lack of presence from the Steelers brass at Oregon’s pro day, but they only sent Assistant GM Andy Wiedl and area scout Ike Taylor to Mississippi. Strange.
22. Los Angeles Chargers — Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Another Swiss-army knife prospect will help a secondary that will likely lose Asante Samuel Jr. in free agency.
23. Green Bay Packers — James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Last year around this time, Pearce was a projected top-five pick in this class. But he’s falling due to character concerns and lack of motor on tape. I’d trust the skill set here, and for what it’s worth, would take a chance on him in the top 10.
24. Minnesota Vikings — Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Campbell’s torn labrum will push him down in the later part of the first round, but he’s too good of a player to fall out of it completely. His motor is the opposite of Pearce Jr. — every single play, he’s giving 110 percent.
25. Houston Texans — Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Yeah, I don’t think Banks will be available here either, but what a blessing from the heavens this would be for Houston. For some reason the team decided to subtract multiple lineman this offseason, including Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil.
26. Indianapolis Colts — (via projected trade with Los Angeles Rams) – Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Indy bumps back twelve slots and still grabs a sturdy anchor at guard who is tough to move off his spot. He has a chance to be the best guard in the class.
27. Baltimore Ravens — Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Back-to-back guards as the big uglies get some much-deserved love. Baltimore re-signed Ben Cleveland, but they still need to add bodies to the interior.
28. Detroit Lions — Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Detroit has been searching for a running mate for Aidan Hutchinson for two years now, and coming off a significant injury, they must add another pass rusher. Williams' production at Georgia was concerning, but I think that’s centered more around how he was utilized.
29. Washington Commanders — Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The Commanders are set on offense after acquiring former 49ers WR Deebo Samuel this offseason. It’s time to focus on their pass rush and improving the second-worst rush defense in the league last season. Green led all of college football in sacks last season.
30. Buffalo Bills — Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
I considered Egbuka here, but I think the Bills have confidence in last year’s first round pick Keon Coleman, and they already have a proven slot in Khalil Shakir. Buffalo signed Joey Bosa to rush the passer, but they need an insurance plan for the oft-injured aging vet.
31. Kansas City Chiefs — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
This may come as a surprise, but the Chiefs' offense was very average last year. That just can’t happen with Patrick Mahomes. Egbuka is a steady receiver who has some safety blanket to him. This is what the Chiefs tried to find when they traded for DeAndre Hopkins last season.
32. Philadelphia Eagles — Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota
This is the foundation the Eagles were built upon. They can never have too many bodies in the trenches. And they can never have too much help on the tush push.
What are your thoughts on this mock draft? Let us know in the comments section!
