FREE agency is settling down and the NFL Draft is now about a month away, meaning there is no better time than now to speculate on how each NFL team will approach the draft.
This mock draft takes a look at the current NFL Draft order without any trades included to see how teams would react as the board falls.
9
Some surprises are present in this draft, including Shedeur Sanders falling down the board, and we’ll take a look at why the draft unfolded that way.
This is a rare draft where every team currently holds their own first round pick. Obviously that could change in the coming weeks, but for now every team controls their own destiny.
As they have been since the end of the 2024 season, the Tennessee Titans are currently on the clock.
Let’s take a look at the NFL Draft if round one took place today:
No. 1 Tennessee Titans – Miami QB Cam Ward
It’s no question that the Titans are in desperate need of competent quarterback play. After two years it’s clear that Will Levis isn’t an NFL Starter.
With the No. 1 pick, the Titans can select who they hope will become their next franchise quarterback in Miami prospect Cam Ward.
9
Ward has the best upside of this year’s quarterback class, with an absolute cannon of an arm and good athleticism. However, his decision making and accuracy leaves something to be desired.
Still, he is enough of a talent to warrant using the No. 1 pick on.
No. 2 Cleveland Browns – Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter
The Browns have needs at pretty much every position in this year’s draft.
At No. 2, they could be in position to simply pick the best player available. For me, that player is Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.
9
Carter is probably the best player in this year’s draft and is earning the label of a generational talent from many scouts.
Sure, the Browns just extended Myles Garrett, but imagine Garrett coming off one side and Carter on the other. It would be a terrifying defensive duo for years to come.
No. 3 New York Giants – Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter
The Giants are in a tough situation this year. Both general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are in their last chance year to make the team competitive.
After a solid free agency and some questionable quarterback decisions, who do they take at the top of the draft?
9
With both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston joining the team, I find it hard to believe that the Giants are interested in this year’s quarterback class.
If not, go ahead and take take the best player on the board which is generational talent Travis Hunter. Hunter can be a true face of the franchise and be a complete gamechanger on offense and defense for the Giants.
No. 4 New England Patriots – Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan
The Patriots had the most cap space in the NFL this season and invested heavily to get out of the dumps for the 2025 season.
A lot of that investment came on the defensive side of the ball though, and young quarterback Drake Maye could still use some extra help on offense.
While the Patriots did just bring in All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs, they could instantly elevate their wide receiver room by adding Tetairoa McMillan in the draft. McMillan is a physical specimen with the tools to help Maye thrive.
A wide receiver room of McMillan and Diggs would instantly be one of the better groups in the league.
No. 5 Jacksonville Jaguars – Michigan DL Mason Graham
The Jaguars have done a decent job of retooling their defense in the offseason, but they have left a hole in the middle of their defensive line.
New general manager James Gladstone made a point of saying that they need to leave positions open for rookies to play.
Who would be a better rookie to fill that spot than Mason Graham. Graham regularly beats blocks and is relentless in his push into the backfield.
He doesn’t have ideal arm length, but his burst and hustle are enough to get him through contact. He would be a valuable addition to the Jaguars’ defensive front.
No. 6 Las Vegas Raiders – Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
Running backs don’t often go in the top 10 picks in the modern NFL, but Ashton Jeanty is well worth the pick. He produced on of the best running back seasons college football has ever seen in 2024 and is one of the most surefire picks in recent memory. It feels like he is too good to fail.
Jeanty has incredible vision with the ball in his hands and doesn’t get frazzled when plays fall apart. He picks up momentum like a train with every step and becomes almost impossible to tackle down the field.
9
He didn’t run a 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine or his Pro Day, but his speed is clear as day. His 2,750 total yards and 29 rushing touchdowns should speak for themselves in the NFL.
With the Raiders trading for Geno Smith at quarterback and Tetairoa McMillan already off the board, I see the Raiders taking Jeanty over a QB or any other offensive position here.
No. 7 New York Jets – Penn State TE Tyler Warren
The Jets have a new quarterback in Justin Fields, but outside of Garrett Wilson they don’t really have anyone catching passes for him.
Running back Breece Hall is a great option out of the backfield, but Fields is going to need more help if he’s going to make the Jets offense competitive.
Tyler Warren was among the most versatile tight ends in college football and he showcased his abilities by catching passes and running the ball. He compiled 1,233 receiving yards and eight touchdowns while also rushing for 218 yards with four more touchdowns.
With the combination of Fields and Warren, the Jets could turn their offense into an extremely exciting unit.
No. 8 Carolina Panthers – Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart
I think the Panthers are probably hoping that Tetairoa McMillan falls to them at this spot. They invested heavily in defense in free agency and Bryce Young could use some stars around him to continue building on his momentum that we saw last season.
McMillan isn’t available here though, and it feels too early to reach on a different pass catcher. Because of that, the Panthers go best player available pivot to one of the best defensive talents in the draft.
Shemar Stewart’s career numbers might not look like those of a No. 8 pick, but he possesses an insane amount of potential.
He was an absolute menace at the Senior Bowl and showed that with a bit of NFL coaching he can become an elite edge rusher.
No. 9 New Orleans Saints – Georgia LB Jalon Walker
Jalon Walker might be my favorite prospect in this draft, and I find it hard to place him anywhere outside of the top 10. Because of that, I have him landing with the Saints.
Walker is listed as a linebacker, but he plays more as a hybrid kind of guy. He splits time between linebacker and edge rusher, and it feels like NFL squads might value him more off the edge.
While he is slightly small for a traditional edge rusher, he has the drive to attack the ball through blocks.
Walker is going to be an elite player in the NFL, it just depends on which position he does it at.
No. 10 Chicago Bears – Missouri OT Armand Membou
The Bears have invested in their offensive line this offseason, signing Drew Dalman and trading for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson.
However, Braxton Jones is still recovering from a fractured ankle and any other player on the line to could go down with an injury.
While he might not be fully utilized this year, Armand Membou could be developed into a plus offensive tackle. He has exceptional physicality and athleticism that can be molded into a top offensive lineman in the future.
Membou also has the ability to play tackle or guard depending on the team’s needs. He would probably find his way into some games in 2025 before becoming a full-time starter in years to come.
9
No. 11 San Francisco 49ers – Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
The 49ers have seen a mass exodus this offseason. Numerous players jumped ship after the team’s disappointing 6-11 season.
Many of those losses came on defense, and the 49ers will need to look to the draft to recuperate what they lost.
Why not go for a guy who is a three-time All-SEC selection and is an absolute freak of a physical talent in Mykel Williams.
He can come off the edge on the opposite side of Nick Bosa and possesses an incredible variety of tools that can make him an elite defensive player.
No. 12 Dallas Cowboys – Missouri WR Luther Burden
The Cowboys would love it if Ashton Jeanty fell to this spot, but it quite simply isn’t going to happen.
Still, the team is desperate for more weapons on the offense to pair with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
Luther Burden’s talents feel like a good compliment to Lamb in the Cowboys’ offense.
Lamb can be the Cowboys true No. 1 receiver on the outside, and Burden can utilize his YAC ability and thrive as more of a slot receiver.
No. 13 Miami Dolphins – LSU OT Will Campbell
The Dolphins desperately need help protecting Tua Tagovailoa. Over the entire course of his career he has constantly been subjected to poor offensive line play.
Protecting Tua is especially important now that he is dealing with what looks like a chronic concussion problem.
At No. 13 Miami gets lucky and has Will Campbell fall into their lap. Campbell plays tackle, but could project more as a guard in the NFL.
However, he has shown elite production at tackle in college and could prove himself as an NFL tackle in training camp after being drafted.
No. 14 Indianapolis Colts – Michigan TE Colston Loveland
It feels inevitable that the Colts are going to draft a tight end at No. 14.
Take your pick between whether you think Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland is the better player this year; no matter what you’re getting an elite player.
9
In this case, Warren is already off the board to the Jets, so the Colts settle for Loveland. It isn’t really settling though, as Loveland is incredibly agile and has soft hands at the position.
He would be a great weapon for either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, whoever ends up starting.
No. 15 Atlanta Falcons – Georgia S Malaki Starks
Draft night for Malaki Starks will probably end up looking similar to Kyle Hamilton’s in 2022. A talented player at an undervalued position ends up falling in the draft and becomes a star player.
Hamilton is now a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro player, the exact same could happen for Malaki Starks.
I don’t think Starks is as impressive of a prospect as Hamilton was, but he enters the draft with plus size and athleticism. There are some things to work on, like his man-to-man ability and deep ball coverage, but I think those are things that can be coached up by an NFL staff.
Starks tested well at the combine and his interviews reportedly went very well. He should turn into a high-end starter at the position for the Falcons in the future.
No. 16 Arizona Cardinals – Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
Jihaad Campell is an exceptional athlete with plus speed and coverage ability at the linebacker position.
He doesn’t quite play the same style of physical defense that the Cardinals have transitioned into with head coach Jonathan Gannon, but he is a threat as a rusher thanks to his burst and quick reads.
Campbell is a kind of player that can go sideline-to-sideline, but he might be best utilized as an on-ball linebacker rather than off-ball.
His elite traits might fit better in the Cardinals defense as an on-ball linebacker.
No. 17 Cincinnati Bengals – Ole Miss DL Walter Nolen
While Mason Graham went at No. 5, some teams might see Walter Nolen as the top defensive tackle in this year’s class.
Nolan has impressive size and explosiveness which help him blast through linemen across from him.
He possesses solid body control and works well at getting through double teams and into gaps.
All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson will probably end up staying in Cincinnati, and adding a star defensive tackle beside him will only further allow him to wreak havoc on opposing teams.
No. 18 Seattle Seahawks – Michigan DL Kenneth Grant
Kenneth Grant is an impressive defensive tackle, but he has certainly been overshadowed playing alongside Mason Graham.
Grant isn’t of the same caliber as Graham, being more of a raw prospect, but he has the size and power to be coached into a good defensive tackle.
His conditioning leaves something to be desired, but an NFL coaching staff should improve that.
The Seahawks have a need at defensive line and I see Grant as an almost perfect fit for them here.
No. 19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Michigan CB Will Johnson
If you watch a lot of Buccaneers games, you know the team gets into a lot of shootouts.
Last season they gave up almost 30 passing touchdowns and only intercepted seven passes. Tampa Bay desperately needs help in the secondary and Will Johnson is the solution.
Johnson is one of the best players in this draft class but is slipping down the board due to some health concerns from the 2024 season.
If he has a clean bill of health in the NFL he should become a star.
No. 20 Denver Broncos – North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton
At No. 20 the Broncos are going from one North Carolina running back to another.
Things didn’t work out with Javonte Williams, but that shouldn’t discourage Denver from taking a shot on Omarion Hampton. If Ashton Jeanty were not in this draft, Hampton would be getting hype as the top running back in the class, and I honestly don’t think he is too far off of him talent wise.
Hampton ran for 1,660 yards with 15 touchdowns in 2024 and he did that on 100 less carries than Jeanty had.
Hampton has a rare blend of size, strength, and speed and easily runs through contact. He also is an effective option in the passing game.
No. 21 Pittsburgh Steelers – Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
Clearly this is the shock of the draft. If you’re a Steelers fan you’d be ecstatic to see Shedeur Sanders fall this far, and while it’s not the popular pick I do think it is a possibility.
If Sanders isn’t picked within the top four picks, I find it hard to see a spot where he is drafted until he makes it to the Steelers. Obviously someone could make a trade up for his services, but trades are so hard to predict in the draft.
9
At No. 21 the Steelers are getting the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft. Sanders is extremely accurate but lacks eye-popping arm strength and athleticism.
I see him as a Tua Tagovailoa type of player, which would be a big upgrade over the type of quarterback play the Steelers have gotten in the seasons since Ben Roethlisberger retired.
No. 22 Los Angeles Chargers – Texas WR Matthew Golden
Jim Harbaugh did an incredible job of turning the Chargers into playoff contenders last season, but they still have some more work to do to round out the roster.
Getting more weapons for quarterback Justin Herbert should be the priority.
The Chargers hit big on Ladd McConkey in the draft last year and now they add a compliment to him on the opposite side of the field.
McConkey is a true slot wide receiver while Matthew Golden has burner speed and big play potential for the big arm that Herbert has. He would be an ideal addition to the Chargers’ wide receiver room.
No. 23 Green Bay Packers – Texas CB Jahdae Barron
Depending on who you ask, Jahdae Barron might be the top cornerback in this year’s draft class.
A smothering cornerback in coverage with great instincts, Barron can be a physical nickel cornerback, something that the Packers could desperately use.
There is also no telling if star corner Jaire Alexander will remain with the team in 2025, so adding a corner in the draft is important before the situation gets too dire.
Barron is a little too grabby at times and his tackling skills are lacking, but those are two things that I believe can be coached out by an NFL staff.
No. 24 Minnesota Vikings – South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori
Nick Emmanwori has slowly but surely been building up hype as the draft approaches.
He put on an impressive showing at the NFL Combine, running a 4.38 40-yard dash and showing off a wicked 43-inch vertical jump. On top of that he also put down 20 reps on the bench press.
He certainly has NFL traits but has shown some inconsistencies on his tape, including a lack of urgency at times, but he makes up for it with great tackling abilities and recovery ability.
With proper coaching he should develop into a star at safety.
No. 25 Houston Texans – Ohio State OT Josh Simmons
The Texans have gone about their offseason in such a confusing way that is feels like they have forced themselves into picking an offensive tackle at this spot.
Trading away Laremy Tunsil is a head scratcher and now they are vulnerable at left tackle. Josh Simmons would likely be receiving more hype right now if he hadn’t suffered a season-ending injury in October, but his recovery will be under scrutiny from NFL squads.
Still, he is an athletic tackle with good size who can play on both sides.
He might need a year to continue healing and developing as a player, but he should end up as a plus starter in the league.
No. 26 Los Angeles Rams – Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
Kelvin Banks Jr. is going to take some development to turn into a fully rounded offensive lineman in the league.
However, it is worth taking a flyer on him because of his athletic talents.
Banks possesses size, quickness, and athleticism that show in his run blocking reps. However, his ability as a pass blocker is still lacking.
Banks probably wouldn’t have to come in as a day one starter for the Rams in 2025, but he has the ability to play in his rookie year if needed.
No. 27 Baltimore Ravens – Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.
I think James Pearce Jr. is a much better prospect than No. 27 in the draft, but there are reportedly some “character concerns” surrounding him.
A lot of times these “concerns” are just smoke from teams to try getting a prospect to fall to them later in the draft.
In this case it might work for the Ravens who get an explosive, high-motor player at the back end of the first round.
Pearce has really high potential, but it’s a matter of whether or not he can realize that once he makes it to the next level.
No. 28 Detroit Lions – Marshall EDGE Mike Green
Mike Green is in a similar situation as James Pearce Jr. While Pearce is just facing questions of character concerns, Green is facing sexual assault allegations off the field.
He has vehemently denied these allegations and hasn’t been involved in any legal proceedings surrounding them.
Still, this situation has impacted his draft stock even after he put on a wildly impressive showing at the Senior Bowl.
If Green makes it to the league without any other impacts from the allegations he should be a plus starter thanks to his violent pass rush and counter moves.
No. 29 Washington Commanders – Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Donovan Ezeiruaku is another player rising up the boards in this year’s draft.
The Boston College product won the Ted Hendricks award as the nation’s top defensive end this year and racked up 16.5 sacks with 20.5 tackles for loss.
While he is a bit undersized, Ezeiruaku uses his quickness to sneak through blocks and make big plays in the backfield.
He should instantly be a productive defender and I think he is one of the more talented players in this year’s draft.
No. 30 Buffalo Bills – Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton
The Bills could use some help on the defensive line and here at No. 30 they have watched a lot of players come off the board at that position.
At this point they have the ability to grab Nic Scourton and develop him into a solid defensive presence.
Scourton was regularly double-teamed at Texas A&M and kind of flew under the radar alongside Shemar Stewart.
However, teams should still have their eyes on Scourton as he plays a good, physical game off the edge. If anything, you know Scourton is going to give 100 percent on every play.
No. 31 Kansas City Chiefs – North Dakota State G Grey Zabel
This spot feels like a pretty simple formula for the Chiefs. They traded away Joe Thuney, might as well draft his replacement.
At No. 31. Zabel is a stud on the offensive line and is a tough presence in the trenches.
He’s played almost every position on the line, but likely will end up playing guard in the league.
I think Zabel is a guy that could end up going much higher than No. 31 based on his physical traits alone and he would be a perfect fit for the Chiefs.
No. 32 Philadelphia Eagles – Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka
What a luxury it is to pick at No. 32. The Eagles are looking to run it back for two consecutive Super Bowls and don’t need to tweak the roster too much to remain as the top team in the NFL.
Picking Emeka Egbuka at No. 32 is almost a luxury for the Eagles. They already have one of the league’s best wide receiver duos with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, but their corps could become even better.
Adding Egbuka as a slot guy underneath Brown and Smith would perfectly round out that receiver room. The rich get richer.
9
