The 2024 NFL regular season has come to a close, thus solidifying the first 18 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. As the playoffs proceed, eliminated teams will figure out where they select in April’s draft. For the teams that failed to make the postseason, though, the draft order has already been determined.
The Tennessee Titans find themselves with the No. 1 overall pick. Should they keep it, they would be doing so for the first time since they drafted Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell as the Houston Oilers in 1978. What they could do this year is anyone’s guess, so let’s take a shot at projecting what the first round could look like in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
For a more in-depth breakdown of each athlete, head to the PFN Top 100 Big Board for the 2025 NFL Draft. The draft order was based on the set draft order for non-playoff teams, and the playoff team order was determined by the PFN Mock Draft Simulator.
1) Tennessee Titans
Cameron Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
The Titans find themselves in an interesting predicament. Will Levis just completed only his second year in the NFL, but the results weren’t pretty. Would they move off their 2023 second-round pick now that they have the No. 1 overall selection?
Ward has the arm talent and creativity to warrant top-pick consideration in what’s generally seen as a weaker quarterback class. I’d argue Shedeur Sanders has a higher floor than Ward, but if you have the first pick in a draft like Tennessee does here, you shoot for the upside.
2) Cleveland Browns
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Deshaun Watson will be on the roster in Cleveland next year, whether Browns fans like it or not. His recently restructured contract freed up 2025 cap space by adding void years at the end of the deal, and in a weaker quarterback class, doing so was probably the right move.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Hunter possesses high-end-starter upside at wide receiver and All-Pro upside at cornerback. I have him playing primarily on defense due to his elite ball skills in coverage and his fluidity, but he could serve as a strong complement to Pro Bowler Jerry Jeudy on Cleveland’s offense, too.
3) New York Giants
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Given the struggles the Giants experienced at quarterback this year, it would be surprising if their 2025 first-round pick didn’t go towards that position.
Sanders is an accurate, tough, and intelligent quarterback who can efficiently distribute the football at a high level. The Giants would need to invest heavily in an offensive line around Sanders, as he holds onto the ball too long and doesn’t have the elite physical upside to get away with it. As a passer who can methodically move the ball down the field, though, there’s potential for him to be a franchise quarterback.
4) New England Patriots
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
It may be tempting to add an offensive lineman or a weapon in the passing game to pair with Drake Maye on the Patriots’ roster here. While there’s certainly talent in this class that would warrant a No. 4 overall selection, I went with an elite athlete with tremendous tape at a premier defensive position.
For a one-year starter at edge rusher, Carter blew everyone’s expectations out of the water in 2024. He’s always had elite speed, agility, and a red-hot motor, even as an off-ball linebacker. But his flexibility off the edge, his hand activity, and his pass-rushing instincts are truly impressive. One could argue he has the highest ceiling of any player in the 2025 NFL Draft.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Jaguars have some solid pieces in their front seven on defense, but they haven’t significantly invested in new additions for their secondary in some time. That showed in the unit’s performance in 2024.
While one could argue Hunter has more playmaking potential, I would argue that Johnson is the most polished down-by-down cornerback in this draft as it stands right now. He has the length and physicality to thrive along the perimeter, and his fluidity and route-recognition abilities allow him to mirror receivers well in coverage. He would be a tremendous addition to Jacksonville’s secondary to pair with Tyson Campbell.
6) Las Vegas Raiders
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
After winning two of their last three games of the season, the Raiders likely find themselves out of range for a top quarterback unless they trade up from No. 6. Given the state of their roster, their best move may be to add a veteran quarterback in free agency or through a trade, then take the best player available in Round 1.
Banks is a sturdy, mobile offensive tackle who lands his jabs with ideal timing and placement, possessing a high motor in the process. The Raiders’ offensive line has some intriguing young pieces on it like Dylan Parham and Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Banks would give them another potential building block as they retool their offense.
7) New York Jets
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
With the future of Aaron Rodgers’ tenure with the Jets in jeopardy and a new head coach waiting to be selected, New York has enough on their plate to the point that their draft pick should just simply be the best player available.
Graham is a tremendous run defender with great spatial awareness, two-gapping capabilities, and a refined use of his hands to stack and shed blocks. On top of that, he’s a high-end athlete for a defensive tackle who can provide some serious juice as a pass rusher.
8) Carolina Panthers
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Panthers did a good job of building up momentum in the second half of this season, going 4-5 after Week 8 — with three of those losses coming in one-score games. There’s improvement taking place in Carolina, but the pass rush still needs work.
If you’re looking for a prototypical-looking edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft, Williams is your guy. He carries elite length, size, and power that carries his listed 265 pounds very well. He’s quick off the ball with heavy hands, and with some further development as a technician, he could have double-digit-sack potential in the pros.
9) New Orleans Saints
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Between Chris Olave’s issues with concussions and Rashid Shaheed suffering a season-ending meniscus injury, the Saints’ wide receiver room has talent but brings more questions than answers at this point.
One thing the Saints don’t have that they could find in McMillan is a true big-bodied boundary threat. The Arizona standout has a large catch radius with tremendous ball skills, and his sturdy hands and fluid hips make him a threat across the middle of the field. Having seen Mike Evans torch the NFC South for over a decade, New Orleans might be happy to find a big, dependable wide receiver of their own.
10) Chicago Bears
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Though the Bears’ season ended on a high note with an upset victory on the road against the Packers, it’s clear that the current state of their offensive line is not acceptable if they want to give Caleb Williams the absolute best chance to develop.
In this case, I would kick Campbell inside to guard with the option to move him back to left tackle if the Bears don’t extend Braxton Jones. Wherever he plays, LSU’s consensus All-American lineman would use his high football IQ, his expert hand usage, and combination of coordination and power to become a high-level starter in the NFL.
11) San Francisco 49ers
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
With the news that the 49ers intend on releasing Javon Hargrave, it wouldn’t be surprising if they target the interior defensive line with one of their early picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The comparisons to make between Harmon and former 49ers first-round pick DeForest Buckner are easy. Both are lengthy, athletic Oregon defensive tackles with quick hands and tremendous pass-rushing value along the interior. Though Buckner graded out slightly higher against the run for me coming out than Harmon does, it’s not inconceivable to think the latter can’t also reach Pro Bowl status at some point in his career.
12) Dallas Cowboys
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
No matter if the Cowboys keep Mike McCarthy as their head coach, it’s clear their run game wasn’t nearly what it needed to be this season. With a top-15 pick and one of the best running back prospects in recent memory entering this class, the marriage here almost seems too good to be true.
Jeanty dominated in a 2024 season that saw him finish second in voting for the Heisman Trophy. He’s an intelligent runner who can read the whole field, he has very good lateral quickness, he offers value as a receiver and blocker on passing downs, and his contact balance is elite. There aren’t many running backs who go in the first half of the NFL Draft anymore, but Jeanty is definitely worth the exception.
13) Miami Dolphins
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
There’s plenty of room for the Dolphins to be optimistic after Chop Robinson’s six-sack rookie season. However, it could make sense for them to target another starting edge rusher to pair with him for the long haul, as Bradley Chubb turns 29 in June and missed the entire 2024 season due to injury.
One of the best pure speed rushers in this class, Pearce is explosive off the ball and serves as a dangerous pass-rushing threat on outside speed rushes. He’s flexible turning the corner, rushes with high effort, and does a good job of keeping his pads low and his weight underneath him. He’s someone I could see developing into a reliable three-down defender in the pros in due time.
14) Indianapolis Colts
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Colts have a deep, young wide receiver room with a couple high-end starters on defense. Their roster is good enough to push for a playoff spot — and conceivably good enough to make the postseason if Anthony Richardson improves. But their secondary could still use some work.
One of the most well-rounded safety prospects I’ve watched since I started scouting, Starks is a worthy first-round selection due to his size, range in coverage, physicality as a tackler, and his ability to make plays on the ball. In the right system, I could see him finishing his NFL career with a couple of Pro Bowls under his belt.
15) Atlanta Falcons
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Assuming Michael Penix Jr. takes over as the Falcons’ starting quarterback in 2025, their offense seems to be in pretty good shape heading into the new year. Their defense, however, could still use some work.
Some project Walker as a stand-up edge rusher in a base 3-4 system, but I like him better as an off-ball linebacker at the next level due to his being undersized off the edge. Whatever the case, he’s an athletic and aggressive defender with schematic versatility, a red-hot motor in pursuit, and three-down value due to how he can rush the passer and cover in space.
16) Arizona Cardinals
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Cardinals ended up more competitive in the NFC West than most expected this season, but if they want to avoid similar finishes to their 2-5 end to this campaign, their defensive line is going to have to improve.
I think Grant’s best value comes as a run defender at the 1-technique defensive tackle alignment, as he has a sturdy anchor with heavy hands, a low center of gravity, and good spatial awareness. However, don’t be surprised if he dominates in athletic testing; he’s very quick for someone listed at 339 pounds.
17) Cincinnati Bengals
Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Trey Hendrickson has been one of the most consistent sack artists in the NFL over the last few years, but Cincinnati’s defense has suffered from major departures recently. Addressing the defensive line should be a priority in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Scourton is a powerful edge rusher with a deep set of moves he uses to shed blocks and penetrate opposing backfields. With a flexible lower half, a low center of gravity, and good short-area explosiveness, he figures to project as a high-quality starting defensive end at the NFL level.
18) Seattle Seahawks
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Seattle seems to have a strong wide receiver duo for the future in DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That said, the offensive line still could use some work if their offense is to help the Seahawks make that leap into a perennial playoff team.
Conerly put together a tremendous 2024 campaign, particularly in the latter half of the year. He’s a top-notch athlete who’s nimble in pass protection with ideal pad level and great lateral agility. He’s dense and strong enough to hold his own in the run game, too, giving him plenty of potential in the pros.
19) Houston Texans
Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
The biggest storyline surrounding the Texans this year has been the offense’s step back from the 2023 campaign. While there are many factors that have played in that, one of those has been the play of the offensive line.
Williams isn’t as pro-ready as his Longhorns running mate Kelvin Banks Jr., but he looks the part of an NFL offensive tackle even more so than Banks does. Williams has a massive wingspan and a powerful frame with quick feet for such a big man. The upside with him is palpable when you turn on his tape.
20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The Buccaneers have bigger needs than wide receiver, but with Chris Godwin slated to hit free agency this offseason and Mike Evans turning 32 in August, it’s a position they could consider in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft if the right fit comes around.
I struggled finding a fit for Burden, who is immensely talented but had a down 2024 season due to how he was used in Mizzou’s offense. The tape remained strong, though; he’s a dynamic weapon with the ball in his hands. He has impressive ball skills and offers the strength and athleticism to dominate NFL competition.
21) Denver Broncos
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Bo Nix seems to have surpassed everyone’s expectations in his rookie year (well, maybe except for Sean Payton’s). The Broncos have a bright future with him at quarterback, so it’s worth it to invest in a strong offensive infrastructure around him.
Warren dominated in the 2024 campaign to the tune of 98 catches, 1,158 yards, and eight touchdowns. With such rare numbers for a collegiate tight end, he enters the 2025 NFL Draft as a big-bodied, physical receiving tight end with the ball skills and blocking capabilities needed to be a steady weapon for years to come.
22) Pittsburgh Steelers
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Steelers have a pretty strong defense, but they have a hole in the secondary at the cornerback position. If the right fit comes around, they might end up investing significant draft capital there this offseason.
Morrison only played in six games in the 2024 season due to injury, but his nine interceptions in his first two seasons and his strong tape still warrant first-round consideration. His ball skills, athleticism in coverage, and physicality along the perimeter should make him a good starting cornerback in the pros.
23) Los Angeles Rams
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
It looks like the Rams have intriguing young players on both sides of the ball, particularly in their defensive line and their offensive weapons. Whether it’s their secondary or the offensive line, Los Angeles has a few options for what units need a youth infusion next.
Simmons could have been in the running for a top-15 pick had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury. Even then, he looks the part of a likely first-round selection with his mobility in pass protection, his ability to block on the move, and his development over the years as a technician.
24) Green Bay Packers
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Green Bay has proven that they’re consistently a force to be reckoned with in the NFC, but as the NFC North continues to look like the strongest division in football, they’ll need the defensive pieces to stop some of the high-powered offenses.
Nolen has always been a physically-gifted defender with elite athleticism and power along the defensive interior. It wasn’t until 2024, though, that he showed the hand usage and improved spatial awareness to maximize those talents. His ceiling is incredibly high at the NFL level.
25) Los Angeles Chargers
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Chargers need a tight end, Michigan has a stud tight end prospect entering the draft, and Jim Harbaugh was previously his head coach on the Wolverines? It’s too easy.
Loveland is an athletic move tight end with the fluidity to excel on the seam and the deep speed needed to serve as a better vertical threat in the passing game than the average tight end prospect. His ceiling as a pass catcher would make him a valuable asset to Justin Herbert and a young Chargers offensive nucleus.
26) Washington Commanders
Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
One of the biggest surprises of this NFL season has been the Commanders, whose offensive explosions have wowed with Jayden Daniels under center. To maintain that success, though, their defense will need to improve going forward.
Before tearing his ACL, Revel was getting top-15 consideration, which isn’t easy to do as a Group of 5 defender. He’s 6’3″ with tremendous physicality through a receiver’s stems and the athleticism to match. The tape may be more hit-or-miss than some of the other top cornerbacks in this class, but the ceiling is arguably just as high.
27) Baltimore Ravens
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Baltimore’s offense is incredibly high-powered, and their defense has some strong pieces on it. It’s just a matter of continuously adding talent to their roster to build a strong support around Lamar Jackson.
Green led the FBS this year with 17.0 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss in 2024, and his tape is just as dominant as his numbers imply. He’s an elite athlete rushing off the edge with a deep pass-rushing arsenal, which should be right up the Ravens’ alley.
28) Philadelphia Eagles
Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Lane Johnson is an ageless wonder, playing at a Pro Bowl level at 34 years old. However, he’s not going to be playing forever, and the Eagles have shown they’re willing to wait for early-round offensive line selections to develop on their bench.
Ersery is a big-bodied offensive tackle with tools similar to Philadelphia’s left tackle Jordan Mailata. He has tremendous length, size, and power, with sneaky mobility. Ersery could develop into an impact starter if he improves his technique a bit more.
29) Buffalo Bills
Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Buffalo’s interior defensive line could use another long-term option beside Ed Oliver, and with a talented defensive tackle class, it could make sense for them to target one early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
An above-average athlete with a low center of gravity, Williams’ growth over the last few seasons and maximizing of his quickness and flexibility project him as a potential long-term starter anywhere along the interior defensive line.
30) Minnesota Vikings
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
If the Commanders aren’t the most surprising team from this NFL season, the Vikings certainly are. Their offensive explosion has been impressive to watch, and with their strong front seven, they’re in a position to infuse their secondary with some young faces.
A rapid riser up boards over the last few months, Amos is a well-rounded cover cornerback with a high football IQ, quick feet, and vertical speed in deeper coverage shells. With three interceptions and 13 pass deflections this season, he’s established himself as a top cornerback in the upcoming class.
31) Detroit Lions
Jonah Savaiinaea, OG, Arizona
A key pillar of the Lions’ roster is their strong offensive line, but with Kevin Zeitler more of a stopgap option in their starting line, they could look to establish another long-term starter for their front lines.
Savaiinaea is a tackle in college who projects well as a guard at the next level. With a dense frame, a low center of gravity, and polished footwork in pass protection, he has the tools to grow into becoming a long-term starter essentially anywhere along the offensive line.
32) Kansas City Chiefs
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
While the Chiefs could consider a successor at tight end for Travis Kelce in the first round, the top two tight end prospects have been selected to this point in this mock draft. In that case, a bolster to their secondary could make sense.
With five interceptions and an allowed passer rating of just 32.3 in 2024, Barron has solidified himself as a reliable cornerback with a high ceiling as a field-side perimeter defender. He has the athleticism, ball production, and coverage instincts in both man and zone needed to be a strong starter in Kansas City’s secondary.