Every NFL Draft every year has an interesting quirk or two, but this year, there is a growing sentiment that the first pick could get moved by the time the NFL Draft rolls around in late April. But a move before free agency would truly signal the urgency to get this franchise quarterback, as he is the consensus top signal caller coming out of this draft. While there aren’t many top passers this year, what happens in free agency will change the trajectory at the top regardless.
The Tennessee Titans hold the first overall pick, but new general manager Mike Borgonzi is keeping his cards close, as rumors circulate about him moving the pick. With Will Levis likely not the right guy to turn the team around in 2025, it draws some intrigue for this year’s draft right at the top. This will be my first edition at a 2025 NFL Mock Draft, just a week out before the new league year begins and free agency kicks off.
Mock Draft 1.0- Pre Free Agency, Post Scouting Combine
I used PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator and did not include any trades for this go around for just the first round. Ultimately, even with the Abdul Carter injury news coming from the Combine, the Titans should secure their blue-chip prospect, whether that is at quarterback, edge, or a player like Travis Hunter. But the team to take Ward might be from a different team, as a trade up to the first overall pick is certainly possible. There is also the chance that a veteran could be the move at the position.
However, with the recent news of them cutting Harold Landry, I think it makes it pretty clear who they want to go for unless they trade down. Tennessee can’t go wrong with top two or three franchise prospects that would move the needle for the direction of this team under head coach Brian Callahan in year two. Carter could be their cornerstone pass rusher they have been looking for off the edge.
- Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter- EDGE- Penn State
- Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter- WR/CB- Colorado
- New York Giants: Cam Ward- QB- Miami (FL)
- New England Patriots- Armand Membou- OT- Missouri
- Jacksonville Jaguars- Tetairoa McMillan- WR- Arizona
Top 5 Mock Draft Picks: Titans, Browns, Giants, Pats, Jags
The biggest surprise out of the top five selections for this mock draft has to be Missouri’s Armand Membou. After his combine, he has the ideal measurables, insane physical traits, and tape to supplant other top offensive tackle prospects. New head coach Mike Vrabel wants a tone setter, and while it is on the offensive side, the Patriots’ biggest need is the offensive line for Drake Maye over a wide receiver. New England could trade for one of the top pass-catchers rumored to be on the market, like a D.K. Metcalf, and/or sign one in free agency with the most salary cap across the league.
- Las Vegas Raiders- Ashton Jeanty- RB- Boise State
- New York Jets- Jalon Walker- LB- Georgia
- Carolina Panthers- Mason Graham- DL- Michigan
- New Orleans Saints- Shedeur Sanders- QB- Colorado
- Chicago Bears- Will Campbell- OT- LSU
Picks 6-10: Raiders, Jets, Panthers, Saints, Bears
Although the Raiders have a massive quarterback need, and with Tom Brady at ownership, according to Dianna Russini of the Athletic, she did report they are looking into trading for a starting quarterback. On the off chance that it does come into fruition, I had them take Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty. A duo of Brock Bowers and Jeanty in the backfield is a fun thought for 2025.
New head coach Pete Carroll gets to draft his foundation piece at running back to pound the rock. In terms of Shedeur, his fall will be due to his tape more than his character. If he falls past pick six, then the ideal landing spot could be the New Orleans Saints at pick nine. New head coach Kellen Moore gets a franchise quarterback to work with and is a pick that will bring some juice to the organization.
- San Francisco 49ers: Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
- Dallas Cowboys: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Texas
- Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
- Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
- Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Picks 11-15: 49ers, Cowboys, Fins, Colts, Falcons
- Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
- Cincinnati Bengals: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
- Seattle Seahawks: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
- Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Picks 16-20: Cards, Bengals, Seahawks, Bucs, Broncos
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
- Los Angeles Chargers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
- Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
- Minnesota Vikings: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
- Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Picks 21-25: Steelers, Chargers, Packers, Vikings, Texans
- Los Angeles Rams: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
- Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
- Detroit Lions: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Picks 26-28: Rams, Ravens, Lions
- Washington Commanders: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
- Buffalo Bills: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
Picks 29-30: Commanders, Bills
- Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OL, Oregon
- Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Simmons, OL, Ohio State
Picks 31-32: Chiefs, Eagles
After doing this exercise for the first time before all these needs get filled in free agency by teams, the shocking part is not including any true safeties in the first round. That includes South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori (who shined at the Combine) and Georgia’s Malaki Starks, with Texas’ Jahdae Barron playing nickel corner. The safety class in free agency is also loaded as well, leading to the position mostly devalued in cap compared to other positions in the NFL. As of now, many teams will likely need to build in the trenches, either on the offensive line or on the defensive line, including edge.
