The day has finally arrived—the first day of the 2025 NFL Draft, when we see organizations’ futures change in a matter of seconds. Front offices hope they select the right guy with their pick who can create an impact for their team. Many moves still need to be made, jobs are on the line, and this is the start of a crazy busy three days for all 32 NFL front offices.
This year’s talent pool has been diverse compared to previous years. With so many changes throughout the season regarding who is a first-rounder and who is not, many players’ stocks have risen, and some have fallen.
Overall, aside from the top three picks, everything else is truly up in the air. Given the talent available at each position, teams are given so many different options. Many players on this mock may go earlier, later, or even fall out of the first round entirely.
Here is my final 2025 NFL First Round Mock Draft:
1. Tennessee Titans- Cameron Ward – QB -Senior – Miami
For a great reason, Ward was one of the biggest risers in the draft throughout the season, putting up amazing numbers and was named a Heisman Finalist. He has a great pocket presence, the ability to make off-platform throws, and is well known for being calm under pressure. Throughout the past few weeks, Ward has established himself to be the first selection the Titans go with to be their QB for the future.
2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter – WR/CB – Junior – Colorado
It’s simple for the Browns: Take the best player in the draft. For the most recent Heisman winner, it does not matter what side of the ball he plays; he is a complete game-changer with a big-play dynamic written all over him. His elite speed, technique, ball skills, versatility, and athleticism set him apart from the rest of the pack. His talent will give an immediate boost to the roster on both sides of the ball.
3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter – OLB – EDGE – Penn State
The Giants can not have another 1st round blunder with selecting a QB, and when their selection comes around, take the best player available. In his first year coming off the edge, he recorded 12 sacks and had an 18.5% pressure rate. He has an elite burst and bend off the edge and displays elite athleticism for a player at his position. If he continues to develop his technique along with adding to his arsenal of pass-rushing moves, he can quickly become a top pass-rusher in the league. Adding Carter to the roster can potentially be a great long-term pick for the Giants organization.
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell – OT – Junior – LSU
The Patriots are put in an awkward situation after potentially missing out on Hunter and Carter, and could trade back in the first round, but their major need is a franchise left tackle to protect their new franchise QB. Campbell has the potential to fit the role and blossom into a franchise left tackle. He possesses a great frame and footwork, and while blocking, he showcases a great base and has amazing balance. Campbell is also an incredible blocker downfield on screens and in the run game, and has that sort of “nastiness” that an offensive lineman needs in the league. A potential trade back for the Patriots and selecting Campbell a bit later in the first, while also securing some future assets, may be the best move for the team.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham – DT – Junior – Michigan
With a lot of rumours circulating that the Jaguars will select running back Ashton Jeanty, they should still have Graham circled as their guy. Graham didn’t test well physically at the combine compared to NFL players at his position, as he’s on the smaller end for a DT. But the film shows that Graham is a baller, he’s quick off the line and gets off blocks, with amazing hands and can make plays in the run game with his athleticism. He may start slow in his career, adapting to the bigger linemen in the NFL, but long-term can become a home run pick for the Jaguars as one of the better defensive tackles in the league.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty – HB – Junior – Boise State
In this era, running backs aren’t typically taken this high in the draft, but for Jeanty, the hype is there, and many teams are willing to move up and select him with a high pick. Jeanty took the whole college football world by storm in the 2024 season, posting out-of-this-world numbers with 2601 yards and 29 touchdowns, along with an astounding amount of insane highlights. Jeanty can scan and read the field at an elite level and use his combination of breakaway speed and his ability to break multiple tackles to create impactful runs. Adding Jeanty to a Raiders offence that currently lacks that true weapon out of the backfield would be an amazing fit for them and give head coach Pete Carroll an elite playmaker out of the backfield.
7. New York Jets – Armand Membou – OT – Junior – Missouri
Membou has the skillset and ability to come in and be an immediate day one starter at right tackle for the Jets. In his three years at Missouri, he had 30 starts and allowed only three sacks. His athletic ability is the true weapon he has; he’s quick, agile, and has great body control for a player at his position. He had the highest athleticism score from the combine out of all the offensive tackles. Membou has a high motor and will continue to be competitive for the whole play, and is a great finisher when it comes to his blocking.
8. Carolina Panthers – Jalon Walker – LB – Junior – Georgia
This would be an elite pick for the Panthers, adding Walker’s skillset to their defence will be a major boost. Walker is listed as a linebacker, but during college, his snap count was split with lining up on the edge and creating pressure on QBs. He racked up 12.5 sacks in his career, along with 90 tackles, a true hybrid defender. He can get a great first step off the edge when rushing, makes plays in the run game, and can drop back and play zone coverage.
9. New Orleans Saints – Mykel Williams – EDGE – Junior – Georgia
The Saints could go with many different options with this pick. If they go the Walker route, the sky is the limit for him. A true athlete coming off the edge, a dynamic rusher with quick hands, and is powerful, but will need some time to develop into his full potential. His never giving up mentally on plays is one of his best traits that he has ensuring that he will make a play on the QB. With his current physical traits and if he continues to develop more pass-rushing moves, he will be a problem for offensive tackles for years to come.
10. Chicago Bears – Tyler Warren – TE – Senior – Penn State
After missing out on the Ashton Jeanty sweepstakes, the Bears will still end up with a new weapon for Caleb Williams and new head coach, Ben Johnson. Warren, to simply put it in 2024, was the Penn State offence when it came to the receiving game, totalling 104 receptions for 1233 yards, making plays all over the field, a do-it-all type of player. Warren can create separation and find weak spots in coverages to get open, and is unfazed by any contact when it comes to catching contested balls. Will need to continue to work on his blocking game. But overall, a high-energy and competitive player who would be a great scheme fit for the Bears.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Kelvin Banks Jr. – OT – Junior – Texas
With Trent Williams getting older, and with the 49ers needing to pay Brock Purdy, getting a starter at offensive tackle on a rookie contract would be a deal for general manager John Lynch. A three-year starter at Texas, Banks Jr can come and play immediately and make an impact. He can hold his own with ease and has the size and athleticism that can translate to the league. Banks Jr has the versatility to also line up at the guard position and solidify his role on the inside.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Tetairoa McMillan – WR – Junior – Arizona
With the need for production outside of Ceedee Lamb for the Cowboys, McMillian could fit into that role perfectly. He has a big frame at 6’5, moves smoothly for his size, can make defenders miss after the catch, and his biggest trait is his incredible catch radius. Paired with Lamb, it will create major problems for secondaries. An NFL comparison is Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London.
13. Miami Dolphins – Will Johnson – CB – Junior – Michigan
With Jalen Ramsey possibly on the move, the need for a piece in the secondary is huge for a Dolphins team that wants to compete, and Will Johnson can become a star at his position. Johnson, as a sophomore, was a key piece in winning a National Championship with Michigan in 2023, and was considered a top 5 pick going into the 2024 season. But after an injury-riddled season, he has slowly begun to slip, but the talent and skillset are still there. Johnson is the type of corner that scouts love, with an excellent athletic frame for the position, elite speed, physical on the line, can read and break up passes, and he can line him up on the outside with any receiver.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Jihaad Campbell – LB – Junior – Alabama
The Colts get a playmaker at the linebacker position with Campbell. A player with all the physical and athletic traits to be a linebacker in the NFL, and when on the field, just simply creates havoc for offences. Campbell can bring the boom when he tackles, but also does it efficiently and does not have many missed tackles. Can also be versatile in playing coverage as well as blitzing the QB.
15. Atlanta Falcons – Mike Green – EDGE – R- Junior – Marshall
Many throughout the season may not have heard or seen Green play, but he can make plays rushing off the edge and be an impact player on a team that finished 31st in sacks last season. He led the FBS with 17 sacks in 2024 and has an explosive burst and power, while also having a great bag of pass-rushing moves. Green can also play with top competition, as on tape, he had many great reps against the National Champions, Ohio State, including a sack. The Falcons would be getting a playmaker on the edge with Green.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Jahdae Barron – CB – Senior – Texas
The Cardinals add the most recent Jim Thorpe Award winner, as Barron was given this award for the best DB in college football, and for good reason. Barron was stat stat-stuffing machine with five interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 67 tackles, as he can be a versatile weapon throughout the secondary. He can find a way to be in the right play at the right time and use his elite ball-tracking skills to make plays. He can easily make a case to be selected higher as well.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Malaki Starks – S – Junior – Georgia
Starks can provide major help for a defence that struggled in 2024. Starks has been a starter since he stepped foot on campus for Georgia in his freshman year. He is truly an elite safety who can do it all. A great coverage player with great ball skills, and has the speed and size to be a physical run stopper and make tackles. The Bengals would be getting an amazing defender with a lot of experience and a potential starter in week one.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Walter Nolen – DT- Junior – Ole Miss
Nolen will be brought in to help with the glaring issue with the Seahawks’ front seven. Nolen can produce as an interior rusher in both the pass and run game. He’s explosive off the line and can get off blocks quickly with his active hands and can win with leverage, and has great power inside. Nolen finished with 6.5 sacks in 2024, earning himself a spot on the First Team Associated Press All-American as well as First-team All-SEC.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Donovan Ezeiruaku – EDGE – Senior – Boston College
The Buccaneers can get true production from Ezeiruaku. The 2024 season was a great one for him as he finished with a total of 16.5 sacks and had 20.5 tackles for loss. Ezeiruaku can attack linemen in many different ways with his pass rushing moves, and is smooth when it comes to changing direction, and uses his athleticism to make plays in the backfield.
20. Denver Broncos – Colston Loveland – TE – Junior – Michigan
Bo Nix would be getting his tight end for many seasons to come with this selection, as Loveland is an absolute talent at the tight end position. Loveland had two productive seasons at Michigan, having a huge impact in their passing game as he totalled 101 receptions, 1231 yards, and nine touchdowns. He can run the whole route tree and has the wide receiver ability in a tight end’s frame. He provides mismatches with linebackers due to his great speed, route running, and he’s able to read to field and get open. Loveland will put up numbers in the NFL in the right situation, and Denver can be that landing spot for him.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Shedeur Sanders – QB – Senior – Colorado
The prospect with the most attention and hype in the draft that has seen his stock slip over the past few weeks would get selected by an organization in need of a QB. Sanders physically is a do-it-all QB, a mobile pocket passer who can make any throw, can create time for himself, has the threat to be a runner, and is unfazed by any moment. The real question for him is whether he will be able to translate to the league and whether he will be able to come in and run an NFL offence effectively and keep them on schedule. This is truly a boom or bust pick and situation for both sides.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Matthew Golden – WR – Junior – Texas
Golden has slowly worked his way into being a first-round selection on draft night by showcasing his ability to burn by defenders and make plays as the number one target on Texas in 2024. Golden posted a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and on his game tape, it shows he has absolute wheels. He’s able to utilize his speed to change tempo and has great hands, along with the ability to come down with the ball on contested throws. The Chargers would be getting an absolute game-changer in Golden to help boost their passing game and give Justin Herbert a receiver on the outside who can make plays.
23. Green Bay Packers – Luther Burden III – WR – Junior – Missouri
Burden’s stock had hit a major dip throughout the 2024 season, as coming off a spectacular 2023 season, his production took a massive hit in 2024. But the talent for him to become a star in the NFL is there. He has all the tools, from his speed, catching, playmaking, and ball tracking traits that can all translate well in the league. He has big-play written all over him, and when he’s getting the ball consistently, he will be engaged throughout the game and will put up numbers. He will be a great addition to the wide out room in Green Bay.
24. Minnesota Vikings – Nick Emmanwori – S – Junior – South Carolina
To simply put, Emmanwori is a combine monster and has the size and frame of a linebacker playing the safety position with elite speed to go along with it. He tested first out of safeties at the combine with his production and athleticism score, and ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. With more time to develop in both the coverage and run game with his traits can become an absolute problem on defence. While also being in the Vikings scheme can be used all over to make plays.
25. Houston Texans – Tyler Booker – G – Junior – Alabama
The Texans need to protect their QB, C.J. Stroud and Booker can come in and fill that role at the guard spot. The two-year starter at Alabama has elite power and awareness. He may not be the best athlete, but he can make up for it with his other traits. He has great size and technique and can be a long-term lineman in the NFL.
26. Los Angeles Rams – Grey Zabel – OT – Senior – North Dakota State
The Rams add a versatile lineman who has played four out of the five positions. Zabel has a pro-ready frame at 6’6 and is listed at 312 lbs. His athleticism is rare for a guy at his size. He has elite speed for a tackle, can make blocks on multiple rushers, and has overall great power. Finished his career with 31 consecutive starts playing all across the line, and in 2024 earned First-Team Associated Press FCS All-American honours.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Shemar Stewart – EDGE – Junior – Texas A&M
The Ravens add the most raw prospect in the draft, Stewart, on paper is listed as a stud: 6’5, 267 lbs, and runs a 4.59 40-yard dash. He’s an athletic freak of nature with amazing length and explosiveness. He’s powerful and has a high motor. The problem for him is his lack of sack production, only having 1.5 sacks in 2024, and relying too much on his athletic gifts. He did finish with 39 QB pressures, which is a great sign, but he is still super raw and will need to work on his technique and pass rushing skills to have an impact in the NFL. If developed correctly, the Ravens would have a future All-Pro edge rusher. Stewart’s physical and athletic traits could lead him to get selected higher if a team takes a chance on him earlier.
28. Detroit Lions – Shavon Revel Jr. – CB – Senior – East Carolina
The Lions add much-needed depth in the secondary. Heading into 2024, Revel Jr. was listed as a sure-fire first-round selection, but after only playing three games due to suffering a season-ending ACL injury, his stock went down. Revel Jr. is quick and lengthy, and he knows how to use his frame, ball skills, and utilize his football IQ to make plays on the ball. He runs a 4.4 40, which shows on his tape. His combination belongs in the NFL, and the Lions would be getting great value with a late first-round pick.
29. Washington Commanders – Emeka Egbuka – WR – Senior – Ohio State
Jayden Daniels gets a new weapon, Egbuka does most of his damage from the slot, and is NFL-ready from day one to have an instant impact in whatever situation he gets put in. He’s a smart route runner with great speed and ball tracking ability, smooth off the line and can create separation with sharp cuts. The best way to describe his game is like his former college teammate, Seahawks wide out Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as a lot of their traits are very similar. Egbuka has the production to back it, as in the last three seasons, he has finished with two 1000-yard-plus campaigns, hauling in 24 touchdowns. For his career, he also broke the school record for receptions with 205. A receiver that could have been a first-round pick a year ago, who will now get to make an impact in the NFL.
30. Buffalo Bills – Benjamin Morrison – CB – Junior – Notre Dame
Another top prospect who went into the 2024 season with high hopes but then suffered a season-ending injury. Morrison came in and started in his freshman and sophomore seasons, making a case for himself as a top corner in the country. He has great man-to-man skills up in a press, and has shown he can follow the top receiver throughout the game. He has great ball skills, racking up nine interceptions in his first two years. Overall, can move at the position with his smooth hip movement and quick speed, and can become a value selection at number 30 for the Bills, who need a true number one corner on the outside.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Simmons – OT – R-Junior – Ohio State
The Chiefs can get a steal at 31 with Simmons, who has dropped down in the first round after suffering a season-ending knee injury. Simmons has elite mobility, footwork, and speed that allows him to move smoothly on the field and protect his QB. Simmons also brings value as he has played on both sides at the tackle position. Before going down with the injury, Simmons had been a three-year starter, making 32 consecutive starts, and only allowing five sacks, as well as not giving up a sack in his six games in 2024. An experienced tackle who, if he can recover, can be a great piece in the NFL.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – James Pearce Jr. – EDGE – Junior – Tennessee
Vice President and GM Howie Roseman and the Eagles luck out once again. A top talent in Pearce Jr, going into the 2024 season as the projected number one pick, after coming off of 2023 season, which saw him rack up 13 sacks, has a bit of a down year, and is rumoured to have character issues which has led teams not wanting to select him too high. He falls right into the Eagles’ lap, and we could see a trade up from Roseman to go get the talented edge rusher if he continues to slip. An explosive athletic rusher, who has great motor and balance, which makes him hard to block. He has power and instinct, and can become a disruptive and effective pass rusher at the next level. Listed at 6’5 and runs 4.4 40: a true NFL-ready frame and remarkable speed for a player coming off the edge. If he lands with the Eagles, their d-line will continue to dominate the league for many more years.
