The next wave of talent is always on the way as team scouts and fans alike prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
These are the players being drafted the most on each team in the NFC, according to data gathered from Pro Football Network’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator.
Which Players Are Being Selected Most in Round 1 of the PFN MDS?
Arizona Cardinals: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Cardinals are a fun team to mock, from the perspective of an NFL Draft analyst. From the fan’s perspective, it must be just as exciting to see a team start to rise back up from the doldrums of the league.
They still need one more draft to make the leap, though. That’s where the MDS comes into play. Thus far in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, the most-selected prospect by Cardinals fans is Michigan’s Mason Graham, barely surpassing fellow DT prospect Deone Walker.
At 6’3″, 318 pounds, Graham would be an invaluable two-phase catalyst on the defensive line for Jonathan Gannon’s defense. As powerful and strong as he is explosive and nimble, he’s truly the full package.
2) Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
3) Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
4) Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
5) Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
One of the criticisms of the Falcons’ 2024 NFL Draft performance was that they waited too long to address a sparse EDGE room, and they might’ve passed up chances to add blue-chip talent as a result.
As they operate the MDS, Falcons fans are determined to remedy this, and they’re accomplishing that with local talent: Georgia’s Mykel Williams. His teammate Jalon Walker also shows up on Atlanta’s list, but Williams is separated at the top.
At 6’5″, 265 pounds, with elite explosiveness, power, and hip freedom on redirections, Williams has truly jaw-dropping potential, so long as he can keep refining his hands.
2) Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
3) Rod Moore, S, Michigan
4) Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
5) Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
Carolina Panthers: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
Carolina Panthers fans seem intent on continuing to build around Bryce Young. The team’s front office addressed the guard position in free agency, and thus far in simulator mocks, Panthers fans are eyeing the next starter at center: Parker Brailsford.
At 6’2″, 275 pounds, Brailsford doesn’t have close to the mass that the Panthers seem to prefer on their line — but it’s easy to let that slide when you turn on the tape. He’s explosive and tenacious in space and well-leveraged in pass protection.
Gus Hartwig is a popular Day 3 alternative at center for Panthers fans, and with such a high projected first-round pick, James Pearce Jr., Luther Burden III, and Emery Jones Jr. show up as well.
2) Gus Hartwig, C, Purdue
3) James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
4) Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
5) Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
Chicago Bears: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
The Panthers aren’t the only fan base with center at the top of their mind. Brailsford is also the top-selected player by Bears fans in the MDS. In fact, Bears fans have selected Brailsford over 1,000 times — far more than any player-team match so far.
Currently, the Bears have Coleman Shelton as a short-term stopgap, but as the top center prospect in the 2025 class, Brailsford’s athleticism, range, and energy would take the unit up a notch.
Beyond Brailsford, it’s clear that EDGE is another well-defined area of need for Chicago. Williams makes another appearance here, as does Princely Umanmielen.
2) Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
3) Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
4) Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
5) Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Dallas Cowboys: Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
Sure, running back might not matter as much as other positions — but it’s still not an area you want to skimp on. To the ire of their fans, the Cowboys have done that for two seasons now. And as the MDS data shows, Cowboys fans are taking matters into their own hands.
The most-selected player by Cowboys fans so far in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle is Ollie Gordon II — the star RB from the state next door. At 6’2″, 215 pounds, Gordon is a slashing long-strider with incredible creative instincts and grit, with all the qualities of a workhorse.
Hometown hero Quinn Ewers also cracked the top three among Cowboys fans’ selections — a notable development given the stagnation in the Dak Prescott contract saga.
2) Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
3) Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
4) Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
5) Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ole Miss
Detroit Lions: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Lions fans are staying home. According to the latest MDS data, the most-selected prospect by Lions fans thus far in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle is defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. He out-places three edge rushers, as well as a safety who transferred from Michigan.
Though the Lions signed veteran DJ Reader to play the nose tackle spot, he is growing older. The 6’3″, 339-pound Grant would be the perfect understudy for Reader, and once he hits the field, he and Alim McNeill would wreak havoc on opposing fronts.
2) Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
3) JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
4) Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
5) Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
Green Bay Packers: Gus Hartwig, C, Purdue
Surprisingly, the most-selected prospect by Packers fans is a player with an average draft position in the Day 3 range: Purdue center Gus Hartwig. Packers fans are clearly eager to move on from Josh Myers, but this year’s center class lacks proven depth.
Nevertheless, Hartwig could be a diamond in the rough. He’s a high-character locker room addition, first and foremost. And at 6’5″, 315 pounds, with passable baseline athleticism, solid flexibility, and strong football IQ forged by experience, he brings plenty to like.
Past Hartwig, it seems as though defensive tackle is the next area of concern for Packers fans, with Kenny Clark’s contract situation slowly creeping up. Tyleik Williams, in particular, would be an exceptional succession plan.
2) Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
3) Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
4) Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
5) Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Los Angeles Rams: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
For the second time, Harold Perkins Jr. makes an appearance on our most-selected prospects list. He beats out Shedeur Sanders, who was surprisingly placed second as a potential succession plan for veteran Matthew Stafford.
Perkins might not have the appeal of a traditional linebacker at just 6’1″, 220 pounds, but for the Rams, he’d offer something unique. He’s competent in coverage and rangy in pursuit, and alongside Jared Verse’s speed-to-power, his bend would be deadly.
Rams fans also have a degree of attention on OT and CB — two more roster spots that could use an infusion of long-term security.
2) Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
3) Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
4) Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
5) Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
Minnesota Vikings: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
You could argue that there’s no wrong answer when it comes to the Michigan DTs for the Vikings. I’ve already mocked Graham to Minnesota more than once, but Vikings fans seem to favor the other DT — the nose tackle, Grant.
Grant would be a peculiar fit in Brian Flores’ defense, but there’s no discounting the potential he has as a force multiplier and orbit man on the front line. Grant can hold the point as well as anyone, and he also has exciting pass-rush viability.
DT covers all of the top three spots for Vikings fans — after which CB and RB prospects make appearances.
2) Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
3) Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
4) Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
5) Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
New Orleans Saints: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
No, you’re not seeing things. Will Campbell is up here again. For the third time, Campbell is a fan base’s most-selected player. This time, it’s the New Orleans Saints, who have long-term uncertainty to address opposite Taliese Fuaga.
The Trevor Penning selection didn’t pan out for New Orleans. Campbell could help rectify that. He’s already a much cleaner prospect, with nimble mobility and forceful hands. And as a natural LT, he could enable Fuaga to shift back to the right side.
Aside from tackle, EDGE is another position that seems to be sorely desired by Saints fans. Three EDGE prospects make up the top five for this team.
2) James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
3) Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
4) Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
5) JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
It was a close race between Sanders and Carson Beck. Sanders only outreached Beck by 45 picks — but he’s nevertheless the most popular player on Giants fans’ draft boards. The assumption is that Daniel Jones will fade and Sanders will take his place.
Playing behind a shoddy offensive line in 2023 eroded some of Sanders’ pocket instincts — something he’ll have to fix before he makes the leap. But one could argue he brings superior arm talent and accuracy to Jones, and his pre-snap work is commendable.
Beyond Sanders and Beck, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe was also an intriguing wild card thrown into the mix by Giants fans. Of the three, Milroe is the most dynamic creator, and a year with Kalen DeBoer could fully unlock his passing ability.
2) Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
3) Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
4) TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
5) Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Philadelphia Eagles: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Similarly to the Chiefs, the Eagles also have an affinity for high-upside bargains on the defensive line. Picks like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Milton Williams proved this. Eagles fans are on the same wavelength. Walter Nolen is their prime target early in the summer.
Nolen’s speed-to-power alone can be devastating, and with that ability, he can line up almost anywhere — from 1-tech to 3-tech to 5-tech, and even with sparse runway reps farther outside. He’s relatively raw technically, but the potential to work with him is astounding.
Eagles fans seem to know their team won’t pick an LB in Round 1, but they’re banging that drum hard in the Day 2 range. Three LBs make up their top five.
2) Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
3) Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
4) Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
5) Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville
San Francisco 49ers: Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
Offensive tackle was considered to be a pressing need for the 49ers ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, and yet, they did not invest in it. That said, the 2025 NFL Draft will offer another chance, and 49ers fans are jumping ahead with Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinaea.
This isn’t the first time Savaiinaea has graced this list, but his fit in San Francisco is special for two reasons: his dynamism and physicality as a puller and a blocker in space, and the opportunity he’ll have to learn from one of the best in Trent Williams.
Three offensive tackles made up the top five for 49ers fans, while a DT and a defensive back also achieved representation.
2) Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
3) Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
4) Sebastian Castro, S, Iowa
5) Austin Barber, OT, Florida
Seattle Seahawks: Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
There was no overlap between Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and Jaishawn Barham at Michigan, but Macdonald likely still has connections in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Barham was a local player at Maryland while Macdonald was defensive coordinator in Baltimore.
Seahawks fans are apt to realize that there might be some familiarity there, and it’s not unfathomable to think that Macdonald might jump at the chance to add a dynamic and disruptive second-level presence such as Barham.
At around 6’3″, 248 pounds, Barham is built almost like an EDGE. He can indeed blitz, but he’s also a tremendously sturdy run-down player, and he has the athleticism to thrive in coverage.
2) JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
3) Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
4) Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
5) Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Chris Braswell, YaYa Diaby, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. These are the top names in the Buccaneers’ EDGE rotation. Braswell has potential, and Diaby is a nice sparkplug, but blue-chip talent is still needed. Buccaneers fans know this, and Pearce is their choice.
At around 6’5″, 242 pounds, Pearce is noticeably light relative to his frame and length, and he’ll have to add mass before he makes the NFL transition. But he’s a stellar fit for Todd Bowles’ wide-alignment scheme, and his instant first-step explosiveness can be jarring.
Surprisingly, this is Travis Hunter‘s first appearance inside the top five anywhere on this list. Perhaps fans question where to play him. Were he to land in Tampa, Fla., the Buccaneers would be getting a born playmaker.
2) Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
3) Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
4) Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
5) Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
Washington Commanders: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The most-coveted player, across fan bases — thus far in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle — appears to be LSU’s Campbell. He claims the most fan bases with four, per the latest MDS data, and Commanders fans are the latest to swoon over his tools.
If Brandon Coleman thrives at left tackle, Campbell’s teammate at LSU — Jones — might be a better fit for Washington’s needs as a natural right tackle. While Campbell is slightly more mobile, Jones is freakishly strong with more than enough explosiveness.
Hunter also breaks into the top three on the Commanders’ list. Whether at CB or WR as a weapon for Jayden Daniels, he’d provide must-watch football in the nation’s capital.
2) Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
3) Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
4) Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
5) Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona