2025 NFL Mock Draft: First 15 Picks

The 2025 NFL Draft is almost here, and everyone has their opinions on what direction each NFL team is going to go in the first round. Like everyone else, this mock draft is informed speculation based on team needs and how they’ve addressed them (or not) in free agency.

Pick #1: Tennessee Titans select Cam Ward, QB Miami

This pick feels like a foregone conclusion. Ward is by far the best QB in this draft class, and despite there being two potentially “generational” prospects at other positions in DE Abdul Carter and WR/DB Travis Hunter, it looks like the Titans are going to go with Ward at #1.

Pick #2: Cleveland Browns select Abdul Carter, DE Penn State

The Browns are the wild card team in the Draft, mostly because they are 1) so dysfunctional and 2) they have the albatross contract of Deshaun Watson hanging over their heads. Do they go with Shadeur Sanders at QB and replace Watson? Do the draft Carter to pair with Myles Garrett? Do they pick two-way star Travis Hunter and shore up their porous secondary? I’m betting they chose Carter and a dominant pass rush for the next 5 years.

Pick #3: New York Giants select Travis Hunter, WR Colorado

If the Browns are the most dysfunctional franchise and the biggest wild card, the Giants are a close second. Like the Browns, they desperately need a franchise QB. If they believe it’s Sanders, they should pick him. If not, Hunter is the obvious pick. I’m not sure Sanders is the guy, so Hunter becomes the clear choice.

Pick #4: The New England Patriots select Tyler Warren, TE Penn State

This would be a reach based on most experts’ mock drafts…but hear me out. Mike Vrabel wants to win at the line of scrimmage. Despite just signing Stefan Diggs, the Patriots lack offensive weapons. In Warren, Vrabel kills two birds with one stone–an elite offensive weapon and a nasty blocker to help the run game. It makes perfect sense. Warren would immediately be a Pro Bowl caliber TE.

Pick #5: Jacksonville Jaguars select Mason Graham, DT Michigan

The Jaguars are about the dumbest franchise in the NFL, but even they can’t screw this pick up. Graham is a human wrecking ball in the interior, and despite lacking ideal measurables, is a dominant DT. The Jags’ interior pass rush and run defense were woeful in 2024, and Graham can singlehandedly help rebuild this unit.

Pick #6: Las Vegas Raiders select Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State

Despite the chorus of draftniks that hate drafting a RB high in the first round, Jeanty to the Raiders makes a lot of sense. First, they have addressed many of their other offensive needs in free agency and via trade. Second, we know new head coach Pete Carroll loves a run-oriented, ball control offense. Jeanty is an elite RB and one of the top prospects in the draft at any position. I would love to see Jeanty in silver and black.

Pick #7: The New York Jets select Will Campbell, OT LSU

There is a lot of debate over who the top OT is in this year’s draft, and unless Jets owner Woody Johnson is asking his grandchildren’s opinions (which he might), I think the consensus pick is Campbell. A three year starter and All SEC player at LSU, he has the highest floor of the elite OT prospects, and the Jets can’t afford to miss on another first round OL pick.

Pick #8 Carolina Panthers select Jalon Walker, DE Georgia

The Panthers’ pass rush fell apart after trading Brian Burns, so addressing the DL is a priority for the Panthers, who showed signs of life in the second half of 2024. Walker’s versatility is what makes him the best choice for the Panthers; he could play off-ball linebacker on early downs and then rush off the edge when it’s time to hunt the quarterback.

Pick #9: New Orleans Saints select Shadeur Sanders, QB Colorado

Here is a pick that makes perfect sense–New Orleans is in desperate need of a QB1 and is in salary cap hell. Sanders is worthy of a top 10 selection. Don’t overthink it, New Orleans. Make the pick.

Pick #10: Chicago Bears select Armand Membou, OT Missouri

This pick interests me a lot. The Bears could trade the pick to a QB needy team if Sanders is still on the board, or they can keep it and finish off their offensive line. The Bears signed an entire interior OL in free agency, and Membou would pair with another top 10 pick, Darnell Wright, to anchor the line. The only question here is Membou’s best position may be RT, which is where Wright plays. I think Wright could move to LT and the Bears OL would be set.

Pick #11: San Francisco 49ers select Jahdae Barron, CB Texas

The 49ers have gaping holes at CB. Barron would be a Day 1 starter and the best of a strong CB draft class. Great fit for the 49ers.

Pick #12: Dallas Cowboys select Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona

The Cowboys have a lot of holes. I can see them selecting Colston Loveland here, or Omarion Hampton at RB. Both positions are massive needs. However, adding a complimentary WR to Ceedee Lamb would open up the offense for new head coach Kellen Moore. Also, both TE and WR are incredibly deep classes, and the Cowboys can find starters in either position later in the draft.

Pick #13: Miami Dolphins select Malaki Starks, S Georgia

Another good fit between prospect and team. Starks is another in a long line of productive Georgia safeties. Miami could also address its OL here (Kelvin Banks Jr?), but Starks feels like the right choice.

Pick #14: Indianapolis Colts select Colton Loveland, TE Michigan

Most mock drafts have the Colts drafting Tyler Warren, but he went #4 to the Patriots in my mock draft. Loveland is a special talent and provides all of the things that Warren does, and he’s likely a better receiver, which is exactly what QB Anthony Richardson needs roaming the middle of the field.

Pick #15: Atlanta Falcons select Will Coleman, CB Michigan

Going with back to back Wolverines (and 3 in the top 15), Johnson pairs elite measurables with NFL-ready ball skills. I considered Tennessee DE James Pierce here to address the Falcons’ woeful pass rush, but with Johnson sliding to #15, he’s the pick.

As always, most of these picks will turn out to be incorrect, but it’s always fun to speculate!