With the NFL Scouting Combine now in the rearview mirror, evaluators are that much closer to making their selections come the day of the NFL Draft.
The NFL Combine is a great event that allows prospects to showcase their athletic testing and meet with teams. A prospect can greatly help or hurt their stock based on their workout, and we saw several players move up and down the board this week. Our post NFL Combine 2025 Mock Draft looks at what the first round might look like.
1) Tennessee Titans
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Abdul Carter was the talk of the town in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine even though he didn’t work out. Reports came out that Carter has a stress fracture in his foot that may require surgery, though he plans to forego it and prepare for the Penn State Pro Day. While this is certainly less than ideal, even with surgery Carter would still be back before the start of the regular season.
Carter is the best player in this draft and fills a clear need for the Tennessee Titans. He would fit in nicely within the Titans’ defensive line.
2) Cleveland Browns
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The Cleveland Browns need an answer at quarterback and there just aren’t a lot of options out there on the market. With the team unlikely to be picking this high again, it makes sense for them to take a swing with the ultra-talented Cam Ward.
Ward is far from a perfect prospect, but he offers the best upside out of all this year’s quarterbacks. He is a bona fide playmaker who has a knack for the big play. He must learn to limit his turnovers and play more within structure.
3) New York Giants
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
This is admittedly much higher than I think Shedeur Sanders should go, but quarterback desperation is real. The New York Giants have no answer currently on their roster at quarterback while the free agent pool is less than inspiring.
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With the Giants regime squarely on the hot seat, it makes sense to take a swing here at the top of the draft and grab Sanders, who can provide some excitement at the position. Sanders is a poised pocket passer who can throw with accuracy and touch to all levels of the field.
4) New England Patriots
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
With the quarterback-needy teams ahead of them, the New England Patriots can stand pat and get arguably the most talented prospects in this year’s class. Travis Hunter is a unicorn as he is not just the best corner in this class but also the best wide receiver.
The Patriots need help at receiver as they lack playmakers for their young quarterback, Drake Maye. It makes sense to take Hunter here and pair him with Maye to give them a dynamic passing duo for years to come.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
New general manager James Gladstone comes over from Los Angeles, where he had tons of success building the Rams’ roster inside out. With Mason Graham sitting here at pick No. 5, I think Gladstone will see too many similarities between Graham and future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald to not select him.
Graham is a powerful and explosive force inside at defensive tackle and can add some much-needed aggression to this Jacksonville Jaguars defense. His playstyle is perfect for a new regime to build around.
6) Las Vegas Raiders
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The board doesn’t fall the Las Vegas Raiders’ way in this mock draft as I am sure they would love to get their hands on one of these quarterbacks. Instead, the Raiders pivot to selecting the top offensive lineman in this year’s class, Will Campbell.
Campbell’s best position may be at guard or tackle, and he can play either for the Raiders. He is a technician who also showcases very good power and overall movement skills.
7) New York Jets
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
I had this player/team pairing in my first mock and see no reason to move off of it now. Tyler Warren is a top-five prospect for me and is just too talented for the New York Jets to pass up.
The team needs more offensive weapons, and adding Warren, a do-it-all tight end, makes a ton of sense. Look for Warren to quickly emerge as the team’s second-leading receiver behind Garrett Wilson.
8) Carolina Panthers
Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Similar to Warren to the Jets, I had Walker to the Carolina Panthers in my Mock Draft 1.0 and see no reason to change this pick. The Panthers need to improve on defense if they are going to be competitive in football games. They need a tone-setter on that side of the ball and Walker is just that.
Walker is an intriguing player as he played as an off-ball linebacker this year but will likely be asked to primarily rush the passer at the next level. Walker is undersized, but he offers quickness and explosiveness as a pass rusher.
9) New Orleans Saints
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
One of the biggest winners from the NFL Scouting Combine was Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart. Stewart is a rare physical specimen who offers an incredible blend of athleticism, length and power.
While Stewart didn’t produce like a top-10 pick in college, his traits are impossible to ignore. He would be a great understudy to the New Orleans Saints’ Cam Jordan and be his eventual successor.
10) Chicago Bears.
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
I think Simmons is a name we will see gaining more steam as a potential top-10 pick as we get closer to the draft. He may be coming off an injury, but he is a high-end pass protector with very good athleticism and length.
Building around Caleb Williams is paramount, and adding an athletic tackle like Simmons would be very wise. Look for him to earn his way into the Chicago Bears’ starting lineup in Year 1.
11) San Francisco 49ers
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The San Francisco 49ers wisely rewarded Deommodore Lenoir midseason but still have a massive hole opposite him. Will Johnson is very good value at this spot and makes a ton of sense for the 49ers.
Johnson is a highly instinctual corner who possesses very good length and ball skills. There is no better scheme fit for Johnson than Robert Saleh’s Cover 3 system, so this fit is just too good to pass up.
12) Dallas Cowboys
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Dallas has had a major hole at receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb, and they finally add a playmaker to help alleviate Lamb with the selection of Tetairoa McMillan.
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McMillan is one of the best receivers in this class and is a perfect complement to Lamb from a skillset and style perspective. McMillan is a big-bodied pass catcher who has excellent hands and ball skills. He can be the chain-mover and end-zone target the Dallas Cowboys need.
13) Miami Dolphins
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Texas Swiss Army knife Jahdae Barron is another massive winner coming out of the NFL Combine. Barron’s only real question mark was his straight-line speed to carry receivers vertically and recover.
Well, after running a 4.40-second 40-yard dash, Barron silenced the questions about his speed and has entrenched himself as a top-20 pick. The Miami Dolphins need more help at corner, and Barron has the versatility to not just play outside but also in the slot at nickel where he does his best work.
14) Indianapolis Colts
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
There’s speculation that many evaluators in the NFL actually have Colston Loveland as the No. 1 tight end in the class. While I wouldn’t go that far, Loveland certainly is a top prospect in my eyes. He is a smooth route runner with excellent size and strength to be an effective weapon in the passing game.
Indianapolis has been looking for a difference-making tight end for what feels like the past decade. Loveland would be a perfect fit in this vertical offense.
15) Atlanta Falcons
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Will this be the year that the Atlanta Falcons finally draft a pass rusher in the first round? Probably not, but we won’t let that stop this mock. Atlanta is in desperate need of more pass-rush help, and this is a great point in the draft to start targeting edge rushers.
James Pearce Jr. is a long and loose pass rusher who offers exceptional speed off the edge. He is a sack artist who knows how to get to the quarterback. Pearce would be an instant plug-and-play starter for the Falcons.
16) Arizona Cardinals
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Another height-weight-speed prospect, Georgia’s Mykel Williams is a very high-upside player who has a great chance to be a better pro than a college football player. He is long and explosive and plays with very good effort. He battled injuries this season, but his ceiling is sky high.
The Arizona Cardinals need more help off the edge and lack difference-makers across their front seven. Williams may not be ready to play right away, but give him some time to develop and then look out.
17) Cincinnati Bengals
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Cincinnati Bengals have needed help along the line of scrimmage for quite some time. Joe Burrow has been able to get the ball out quickly to his playmakers, but he took way too many hits last season for my liking.
Missouri’s Armand Membou is one of the best linemen in this class and has the versatility to play tackle or guard. He is a very good athlete with good power but just lacks the prototypical length one looks for in a premier blindside protector.
18) Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Wherever you have Tyler Booker going in the draft, you are probably too low. Every scout and coach I talked to has mentioned that Booker is one of the best overall players in this class, and I agree with them. He is a rock-solid protector with rare leadership qualities.
The interior of the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive line is not in great shape, and they must add talent there in order to jump-start this offense. Booker would be an immediate upgrade over what they currently have on the roster.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Tampa Bay has long been associated with great linebacker play. Whether it was Derrick Brooks in the early 2000s or more recently with prime Lavonte David and Devin White, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have always had playmakers roaming the second level of their defense.
Jihaad Campbell is a long and explosive linebacker who provides excellent versatility as a three-down defender. His aggressive playstyle would fit right in with head coach Todd Bowles’ system.
20) Denver Broncos
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This is probably my favorite pick of this mock draft and one I hope actually happens. The Denver Broncos’ offense last season was a fun watch, but it was very evident that their running game was letting them down. Opposing defenses used light boxes as they knew none of the Broncos’ running backs could provide any juice or incite fear.
Jeanty is one of this class’s best players and would be a surefire top-10 pick if he was a bit bigger. He slides a bit here, but this would be a home-run selection for Denver and would instantly improve the team’s running game.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston is another riser leaving Indianapolis after he scorched the 40-yard dash running a 4.29-second split. His elite speed is evident on tape as he is able to recover with ease and trigger with explosiveness from depth. This is a talented cover man who has plenty of upside.
Pittsburgh has a massive hole at cornerback, and while I was tempted to address the offensive side of the ball, Hairston was too good to pass up. Hairston can come in and compete for a role early on in his career.
22) Los Angeles Chargers
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
J.K. Dobbins was one of the best stories in the NFL last season, and his comeback from all of his injuries was amazing to see. He was very productive when on the field, but I am still not confident that the Los Angeles Chargers can count on Dobbins (free agent in 2025) as their workhorse moving forward.
Omarion Hampton is one of the best backs in the class and plays with the type of violence and power that head coach Jim Harbaugh appreciates. He would add physicality and burst to the Chargers’ offense.
23) Green Bay Packers
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Derrick Harmon just feels like he belongs on the Green Bay Packers. He is a long and explosive disruptor along the defensive front and can play in multiple alignments. His versatility would be perfect for the Packers as they like to move their defensive linemen around.
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Harmon can step in and be what the Packers had hoped Devonte Wyatt would be. He lives on the other side of the line of scrimmage and will be a force against the run and as a pass rusher.
24) Minnesota Vikings
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Minnesota has a need at corner opposite Byron Murphy Jr., and Trey Amos fits the bill. Amos is an excellent cover corner with very good athleticism and length. He excels in both man and zone principles and has very good ball skills.
With Stephon Gilmore likely out the door, Amos can step in and compete to start outside. His physicality and aggressive playstyle would be welcomed by defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
25) Houston Texans
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
At one point, the Houston Texans wide receiver room felt absolutely stacked. With Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell, this receiver room was arguably tops in the NFL. Now, with Diggs being an impending free agent and Dell coming off a massive knee injury, this room has a lot of uncertainty heading into the 2025 season.
Matthew Golden is a well-rounded receiver prospect who has the speed, quickness, and route-running ability to get open at all three levels of the field. He has outstanding ball skills and body control and would be a great complement to Collins.
26) Los Angeles Rams
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Los Angeles Rams’ continued investments in the line of scrimmage have paid off in a big way. They drafted two studs on the defensive line last year in Jared Vese and Braden Fiske and now look to do the same for their offensive line.
Kelvin Banks Jr. is a very talented pass protector who offers very good size and power. He is quick on his feet and can mirror and slide against speed rushers. Banks will give the Rams a cornerstone player at tackle that they desperately need.
27) Baltimore Ravens
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
When in doubt, give the Baltimore Ravens a pass rusher. In all seriousness, this one just feels right. Few teams prioritize the defensive front like Baltimore, and it’s certainly paid off over the years.
Marshall’s Mike Green is an explosive athlete who offers very good length and quickness as a pass rusher. He needs some refinement in terms of his rush plan and also needs to add some power, but this is a high-upside player whose best ball is ahead of him.
28) Detroit Lions
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Detroit experienced a bevy of injuries to their defensive line over the course of the season, and their depth was truly tested. Adding more firepower to this unit makes a ton of sense as we just saw Philadelphia win the Super Bowl with a deep and dominating defensive front.
Kenneth Grant is a mammoth of a man who plays with surprising agility and quickness. He does his best work as a gap-stuffing run defender but has enough in him to penetrate and get to the quarterback. Grant’s presence would surely help alleviate the attention that fellow Michigan Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson receives.
29) Washington Commanders
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Washington Commanders had an amazing year in 2024, and with quarterback Jayden Daniels entrenched as the team’s franchise quarterback, their future is bright. For this team to take the next step, Washington must build up this defense to ensure that Daniels isn’t forced into shootouts week in and week out.
Nick Emmanwori had one of the best workouts at the NFL Combine that we have ever seen by a safety. He is a freak athlete with truly unreal physical skills. His tape also matches his athletic profile, and he projects as a versatile playmaker who can excel in the deeper areas of the field but also make plays in the box.
30) Buffalo Bills
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Malaki Starks is a very talented defensive back who has been a staple of the Georgia Bulldogs secondary for the past three seasons. He has made plenty of big plays over his career, highlighted by incredible interceptions that showcase his elite body control and ball skills.
He is a versatile cover man who can play single-high, split-safety, and in the slot. He would fill a massive need at safety for the Buffalo Bills and give them a much-needed talent upgrade over what’s currently on the roster.
31) Kansas City Chiefs
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Kansas City’s patchwork offensive line finally faltered when it mattered most. The team failed to protect Patrick Mahomes against Philly’s ferocious front, and that’s essentially what cost them the Super Bowl. I expect Andy Reid and Brett Veach to do everything in their power for that not to happen again.
Josh Conerly Jr. is an athlete pass protector who has excellent feet and quickness. He can handle speed rushers off the edge and has very good length to punch and stymie the rushers’ attack. He is still getting stronger and needs some work when faced with power on his head, but he would be a great addition to the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line.
32) Philadelphia Eagles
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Yes, the Philadephia Eagles are drafting another pass rusher. Philadelphia is set to lose pass rusher Josh Sweat to free agency, and if they do lose Sweat, they will certainly need additional juice off the edge.
Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku is an undersized yet extremely long pass rusher who plays with good quickness and power. He flashes an ability to bend and get around the blockers untouched to get to the quarterback. His skill set would fit in nicely with the Eagles’ talented defensive front.