For my first mock draft of the season, I kept things simple. There were no trades, only one round—just something to get things started. In the upcoming weeks before the NFL draft, I will do another two to three mock drafts with slightly different formats. You’ll see a one-rounder with trades, a three-rounder, and possibly a three-rounder with trades. The possibilities are endless.
I love this time of year as NFL front offices try to determine who the next league superstars will be. And their fans attempt to get into the heads of the team decision-makers to determine who that dream pick will be. So, on to Mock Draft 1.0
2025 NFL 1-Round Mock Draft
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, Miami (FL)
The Will Levis era is over. The Titans pick the best quarterback available in the draft.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Whether Myles Garrett stays or goes, adding this dynamic pass rusher will always be the right decision.
3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Giants opted to solve their immediate quarterback woes in free agency. Their consolation prize is the most talented player in the draft.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Assignment one is protecting their franchise quarterback, Drake Maye. Who better than the big tackle out of LSU?
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
A cornerback or wide receiver makes more sense here, but the thought of passing on this disruptive tackle wins the day.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Sheudar Sanders, QB, Colorado
Pete Carroll and Tom Brady want their quarterback, and this selection matches the team’s biggest need.
7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Jets have so many needs to fill, but you can never go wrong with picking an outstanding blindside tackle.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
This draft’s perfect example of the perfect player to fill a team’s biggest need.
9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
New head coach Kellen Moore’s offense needs more weapons, and who better than this big-play, NFL-ready tight end from Happy Valley?
10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
It will be so tempting for new head coach Ben Johnson to take Jeanty with this pick, but the needs on the offensive line are just too pronounced.
11. San Francisco 49er’s: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The 49er’s biggest need is at cornerback, who falls to them, but the second-best cornerback in the draft who has elite coverage skills.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Cowboys will probably need to replace three defensive tackles. Although there is an impending need at running back, shoring up their interior defense makes this pick essential.
13. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Grant didn’t work out at the NFL Combine, but the Fins need to get bigger on their defensive front, so this was an easy decision for their defensive-minded head coach.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
One of the stars of the NFL Combine is the complete package. He attacks ball carriers, plays well in coverage, and can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Falcons ranked in the NFL bottom 10 in terms of pressure rate. And with impending free agents Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter, Williams is just what the doctor ordered for this defense.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Arizona had an ineffective pass rush last season, but a bright spot was the athletic Darius Robinson. The Cardinals add his bookend in the tall edge from A&M.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshal
The Bengals suffered from a medicore pass rush in 2024, so they draw the name of the explosive edge from Marshall on draft day.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State
Like so many other teams, it appears that there will be free agent defections in the Seahawks’ offensive line unit. The flexible Zabel is a great choice because he could start at guard or center.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
With veteran wideout Chris Godwin opting for free agency, Baker Mayfield will need additional targets. The Bucs will find that the big, first-down machine from Arizona will be a perfect fit for their offense.
20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Quarterback Bo Nix will find the 6-foot-6 Loveland early and often in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Golden ran a speedy 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, so coach Mike Tomlin of the Steelers is very pleased that he dropped to them with the 21st pick.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Another receiver off the board as the Chargers seek to rev up their 2024 17th-ranked offense.
23. Green Bay Packers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Packers need to get tougher on their defensive front, and the athletic Harmon will strike fear in the hearts of NFC North running backs.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Needs abound on the offensive and defensive lines for the Vikings. But whether they retain Byron Murphy or not, the team will, as usual, need another cornerback. Barron could help in the slot right away.
25. Houston Texans: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Adding the raw but athletic Nolan to a defensive line that already features Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. will speed up the rookie’s maturation process.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
With blindside tackle Alaric Jackson testing free agency, there is an immediate need to fill this critical position. And if Warren McClendon proves to be the answer at left tackle, Banks could slide inside to the guard position.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Although he is not quite NFL-ready, the Ravens grab Simmons at a bargain spot due to the knee injury he suffered last season.
28 Detroit Lions: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Pearce’s name pops up frequently in discussions surrounding the Lions’ first pick. He would compliment their other edge, the talented Aidan Hutchinson.
29. Washington Commanders: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
The Commanders need to improve on all three levels of their defense. Ezeriruaku performed well at the NFL Combine and could help the team immediately as a pass rush specialist.
30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Bills need more playmakers in their secondary, and the smallish Hairston is an exceptional cover corner.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota,
The left tackle from Minnesota showed exceptional quickness at the NFL Combine. And the since traded, Joe Thuney had to slide over from his guard position to cover the issues on the blindside last season. Erery is the right call to keep Patrick Mahomes on his feet.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The need is not there, but the Eagles will decide that the NFL-ready, three-year starting cornerback from Georgia is just too good to pass up at this spot.
Until next time…
