We are just a month away from the 2025 NFL Draft at the end of April in Green Bay, and it seems the top few selections could be set in stone. With basically all of free agency mostly wrapped up, other than Aaron Rodgers, plenty of teams filled and addressed crucial needs. However, most teams, especially in the top 20, I would say, have multiple ways they could still go in the first round. This draft is interesting because of the player difference after the top 10, as there is a decent drop-off in talent. This makes the NFL Draft, especially at the top after picks 2 and 3, extremely unpredictable.
Top 5 Picks: Titans, Browns, Giants, Pats, Jags
I used PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator and did not include any trades for this go-around for just the first round. It seems consensus that Cam Ward will head to Tennessee, and the Titans won’t entertain a trade down. Makes sense, as they get their franchise quarterback and what the Browns/ Giants do after will have a domino effect on the rest of the first round.
Especially with the Patriots picking after them at 4th overall, as they could go a few different ways as well with offensive line, wide receiver, and edge rusher all being needs still in New England. The latest buzz out of Cleveland is that they will take Abdul Carter to pair with edge rusher Myles Garrett despite the foot injury.
- Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward- QB- Miami (FL)
- Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter- EDGE- Penn State
- New York Giants: Travis Hunter- WR/CB- Colorado
- New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan- WR- Arizona
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham- DL- Michigan
Where Shedeur Sanders will go is the biggest question. Especially if it’s not the New York Giants, Jets, New Orleans Saints, or the Steelers. However, Pittsburgh is still waiting, as they are basically the only team left that wants Rodgers. The running backs in this class are the strength of the draft, as the Raiders get the Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, while I have the Chicago Bears taking Omarion Hampton at 10 and the Denver Broncos taking TreVeyon Henderson at 20.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty- RB- Boise State
- New York Jets: Shedeur Sanders- QB- Colorado
- Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker- LB- Georgia
- New Orleans Saints: Shemar Stewart- EDGE- Texas A&M
- Chicago Bears: Omarion Hampton- RB- North Carolina
Picks 6-10: Raiders, Jets, Panthers, Saints, Bears
One of the bigger factors that will change the draft is how these teams view shorter tackles like Armand Membou and Will Campbell. While athletic enough to play tackle, it’s a nice fail-safe that they could kick to guard and be pretty good or even better players. The same could be said with the edge rushers with the depth of the class, as the Atlanta Falcons could finally get one with Marshall’s uber-productive Mike Green. Tight end Tyler Warren to the Indianapolis Colts is pretty chalk, but it just makes sense if he falls out of the top 10 and is not taken by the Jets.
- San Francisco 49ers: Armand Membou- T- Missouri
- Dallas Cowboys: Will Campbell- T- LSU
- Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks- S- Georgia
- Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren- TE- Penn State
- Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green- EDGE- Marshall
Picks 11-15: 49ers, Cowboys, Fins, Colts, Falcons
Defensive back Jahdae Barron’s stock is kinda all over, as some like him on the inside as a nickel, some playing boundary corner, and some at safety or all-around as a hybrid. Either way, the Arizona Cardinals get a boost in their secondary, while the Cincinnati Bengals get a big run stopper at defensive tackle with Kenneth Grant. Jihaad Campbell is the perfect scheme fit player for Todd Bowles at linebacker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he can learn from veteran Lavonte David.
- Arizona Cardinals: Jahdae Barron- CB- Texas
- Cincinnati Bengals: Kenneth Grant- DL- Michigan
- Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks Jr.- T- Texas
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell- LB- Alabama
- Denver Broncos: TreVeyon Henderson- RB- Ohio State
Picks 16-20: Cards, Bengals, Seahawks, Bucs, Broncos
The Steelers’ underrated need is at defensive line, as Cameron Heyward is getting older, and they are missing some run stopping ability but get it here by drafting Walter Nolen. Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers get a familiar Michigan face with Will Johnson at corner, while the Green Bay Packers find a speedy receiver in Matthew Golden. The Minnesota Vikings obtain a Harrison Smith replacement at safety, while CJ Stroud gets to throw to his college teammate and friend at Ohio State, Emeka Egbuka, in the slot for the Houston Texans at receiver.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Walter Nolen- DL- Ole Miss
- Los Angeles Chargers: Will Johnson- CB- Michigan
- Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden- WR- Texas
- Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori- S- South Carolina
- Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka- WR- Ohio State
Picks 21-25: Steelers, Chargers, Packers, Vikings, Texans
The Los Angeles Rams get more protection for veteran Matthew Stafford with offensive linemen Grey Zabel, as the Washington Commanders do a similar thing by taking Josh Simmons, who is recovering from an injury. The pass rush class is pretty deep at the top, as the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills could all use some edge rush help to get after the quarterback in this mock. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Mykel Williams, and James Pearce Jr. all offer something a bit different to the table.
- Los Angeles Rams: Grey Zabel- T- North Dakota State
- Baltimore Ravens: Donovan Ezeiruaku- EDGE- Boston College
- Detroit Lions: Mykel Williams- EDGE- Georgia
- Washington Commanders: Josh Simmons- T- Ohio State
- Buffalo Bills: James Pearce Jr.- EDGE- Tennessee
- Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Harmon- DL- Oregon
- Philadelphia Eagles: Colston Loveland- TE- Michigan
Picks 26-32: Rams, Ravens, Lions, Commanders, Bills, Chiefs, Eagles
The Kansas City Chiefs get a running mate for Chris Jones with Derrick Harmon, while the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles take their tight end of the future with Colston Loveland. I would imagine there might be some draft day or a potential big trade up on night one of the 2025 NFL Draft.
