EAST LANSING- We’re finally here. With the 2025 NFL Draft tomorrow, it’s time for my last mock of this pre-draft process. It’s time for 5.0.
It’s been a winding road to get here. Lots of prospects have climbed the boards, and others have fallen.
Also, we only have one trade in this mock, and it’s further into the first round. Considering the quality of this first round, I don’t think much movement will happen.
It’s been an honor to share all of these mocks with you, and I hope you enjoy this one. Let’s get into it!
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, Miami (FL), QB, Senior
This seems like the most certain pairing in the first round in a draft filled with uncertainties. Ward is head and shoulders above the rest of this quarterback class,, and the Titans desperately need a fresh start for that position. I like the weapons that Tennessee has, the future of their offensive line group, and how Ward fits into all of that.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, Colorado, CB/WR, Junior
Just like pick number one, this pairing is seems to be more and more likely as the draft looms closer. What can I say about Hunter that hasn’t already been said? He’s been described as a unicorn, and I can’t help but agree. He’s the best player at TWO positions in this draft. In Cleveland, I expect him to focus on playing wide receiver and come in on certain packages on defense.
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Penn State, ED, Junior
In my eyes, the draft starts here. Carter or Sanders, who’s going to be the pick? Right now, I’m leaning toward Carter. The quarterback situation is dire for the Giants, but with the offseason acquisitions of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, I think they’ll opt to wait on a passer. For Carter, he’s the best player in the draft who focuses on one position. He can be an alpha pass rusher in the league, so pair that with edge Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, and New York has a nasty pass rush group.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, LSU, T, Junior
The Pats would have loved for Hunter or Carter to be here at four, but the cards didn’t fall their way in 5.0. With both off the board, they pivot to the trenches and draft Campbell from LSU. If you’ve followed this class for long enough, you’ll realize that Campbell has been incessantly mocked in the first ten picks. He’s just that good at what he does. The arm length is a tad concerning, but the talent is worth the top-five selection.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State. RB, Junior
This might come as a surprise to some of you, but with the fifth pick, the Jags snag Jeanty from Boise State. The 2024 Heisman runner-up’s tape speaks for itself. He can’t be tackled! I can’t help but watch him and see a gold jacket in his future (barring no injuries, of course). With a new head coach and general manager in town, it’s a new era for the Jags, and that new era starts with Jeanty.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Armand Membou, Missouri, T, Junior
From an unknown commodity to a top ten certainty, Membou from Mizzou heads to the Raiders. With new quarterback Geno Smith in town, the Raiders should look to protect him or give him weapons. They would’ve loved Jeanty as this pick, but I believe they pivot to upgrading their questionable o-line instead. Bookend tackles in Kolter Miller and now Membou look to spearhead this offense for years to come.
7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren, Penn State, TE, Senior
This has been a connection for a while now, and it becomes a reality in 5.0. Warren is one of only a few select blue-chip prospects in this class. He’s a swiss-army knife of an offensive threat. With new quarterback Justin Fields in town, the Jets should look to protect him or give him weapons. In this scenario, they’re giving him one of the best weapons in this class.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, Georgia, LB, Junior
The Panthers need to go edge here, so the question is which one? As the draft gets closer, it seems like that edge will be Walker from Georgia. Playing linebacker at Georgia, Walker lined up everywhere for the Bulldogs. The athletic traits are undeniable as well. He looks like the prototypical modern-day pass rusher, so Carolina grabs him to be that.
9. New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, Georgia, ED, Junior
The second straight Georgia defensive player comes off the board when the Saints draft Williams. Williams has had one of the best draft week rises in this first round. As more intel leaks out before Thursday night, it seems like NFL teams love Williams, and I can see why. His dominant length and strength project well to the next level.
10. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas, T, Junior
Even after all of the offseason offensive line acquisitions, the Bears go back to the well and draft Banks. Just like Williams, he had one heck of a week when it comes to where he’ll go. Don’t be surprised if Banks goes even higher than this. The Bears can play him at either guard or tackle, but the ceiling is higher as a tackle. If Chicago can develop him properly, they’ll have a Pro Bowl tackle on their hands.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, DI, Junior
The 49ers’ pass rush is, how do I say, not great. Besides edge Nick Bosa, there’s not much there. But add Nolen from Ole Miss? You might have something. Nolen is one of the most talented players in this class, and the ceiling for him as an NFL player is immense. I like how he fits into that front seven.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, WR, Junior
Another team that wants to make a splash is the Cowboys, and not because of their head coach. Owner Jerry Jones loves his headlines, and this pick would do just that. Besides all-star wide receiver Ceedee Lamb, Dallas is missing their complementary wide receiver two. McMillan’s size, ball skills, and sneaky speed will go great with Lamb’s alpha playstyle.
13. Miami Dolphins: Jahdae Barron, Texas, CB, Senior
Even before the cornerback Jalen Ramsey trade rumors, I thought the Phins should target a corner with their first pick. With those rumors, it seems like a necessity. Barron from Texas had an awesome 2024 season and showed off his versatility constantly. That versatility will be loved in Miami.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, Michigan, TE, Junior
Usually, this pick is used on Warren from Penn State, but with him gone, the Colts have to pivot. Luckily for them, Loveland plays the same position and is just as good. Indy has to upgrade its offense for whoever is its long-term quarterback, and Loveland will bring that immediately.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, Marshall, ED, Junior (RS)
Just like the Panthers, Atlanta needs to address edge in the first round. They’ve kicked that can down the road, but in 5.0., I think they finally attacked it. With their pick, Green from Marshall is the selection. Statistically, Green was one of the best edges in all of college last year. In the off-the-field stuff resolves itself, the Falcons have one hell of a player on their hands.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Mason Graham, Michigan, DI, Junior
This is, by far, the biggest surprise of the first round. Let me explain. Graham is a great prospect and has been a staple of the top five in this draft, but as the draft is closing in, he’s falling down boards. Why? Well, nothing blows you away when you watch his tape. He’s good at almost everything, but I don’t see a game-changing trait with his game. Don’t be surprised if he goes high, like many think he will, but also don’t be surprised if he drops out of the top ten.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, ED, Junior
Let me forecast how this draft should go for the Bengals: defense, defense, more defense, and offensive line. I would be surprised if their first-round pick doesn’t go towards defense, and more specifically, their pass rush. Stewart is a physical freak and has an extraordinary ceiling for his position. He’ll be a great edge two for the beginning of his career and has all the opportunity in the world to be a dominant number one pass rusher if edge Trey Hendrickson leaves Cincinnati.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, North Dakota State, T, Senior
While listed as a tackle, Zabel from North Dakota State is the best interior offensive line prospect in the class. He stood out on tape, and with every snap, you could see how good he is at what he does. The Seahawks desperately need to address their offensive line, and Zabel could be a staple for that offensive line for years to come.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, LB, Junior
The Bucs grab one heck of a steal when they draft Campbell from Alabama. They need an alpha linebacker in that room, especially with Lavonte David’s age, and Campbell can be just that. He’s head-and-shoulders above all other linebackers in this class and looks and plays just like a modern-day dominating linebacker.
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, RB, Junior
You want to talk about a sure-fire pick; this one might be it. The Broncos need a running back to pair with that offense, and Hampton is just that. If Jeanty weren’t in this class, Hampton would be the one to get the top ten buzz. He’s that good. I can even imagine a world where the Broncos trade up for him, but they’re able to stay pat at take him at pick 20.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, QB, Senior
Sanders is without a doubt the biggest story of night one of the draft. He has a grand-canyon-sized range for where he could go. I could see him going as early as pick three, and as late as day two. For the Steelers, they’re in desperation mode. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has still not signed with any team and the other quarterbacks on the roster are Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. That’s not going to cut it. Luckily for them, Sanders slips to them as pick 21. While I’m not certain how well Sanders will play in Pittsburgh with wide receivers George Pickens and DK Metcalf, I’m certain that you’ll watch.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, Michigan, DI, Junior
How fun would this be? We know head coach Jim Harbaugh loves his trench, especially his past ones. I’ve talked about this before, but the potential with Grant is immense. For someone his size, he should not be able to create as much pressure as he does. If there’s anyone who can tap into him as a prospect, it would be the guy who recruited him in high school.
23. Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson, Michigan, CB, Junior
At pick 23, Green Bay finds great value when they select Johnson from Michigan. Johnson, after a so-so 2024 season, has slipped in this draft. He used to be a top-five type of prospect, and that prospect can still be tapped into. The Packers would also love a receiver with this pick, but Johnson at pick 23 is too much to pass up on.
24. TRADE | New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, QB, Senior
We have our first and only trade! The Giants trade back into the first round and grab the third quarterback off the board in Jaxson Dart. Like I mentioned before, I think they’ll opt to wait for a passer, but it’s also important not to wait too long. The Vikings have been constantly rumored to trade back in this draft, so that makes them a good dance partner for the Giants. Dart will be able to sit behind Wilson and Winston, develop, and hope to be their quarterback of the future.
25. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, Alabama, G, Junior
The Texans had one of the worst offensive lines in the league last year, so they must upgrade that room. Booker, while he does wow you, is one of the most solid prospects in this class. He’s a plug-and-play guard for Houston, and quarterback C.J. Stroud will love him for it.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Simmons, Ohio State, T, Junior (RS)
Before the injury, Simmons dominated against a revolving door of NFL edges in college. The reason he slips this far is because of that injury, so if he can stay healthy, the Rams have themselves a steal. They’ve already given quarterback Matthew Stafford more weapons, so might as while give him more protection too.
27. Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, ED, Junior
Pearce’s first step is downright electric. He blows by opposing tackles like it’s nothing. A year ago, he was seen as a top five selection, but the off-the-field stuff has pushed him down. Regardless, the talent is too immense for him not to go on Thursday.
28. Detroit Lions: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, G, Senior
The Lions would’ve loved an edge as this pick, but with more of the best edges in this class, they pivot to address the interior of their offensive line. Just like Booker, Jackson is a plug-and-play guard who starts immediately in Detroit. They love to run the ball, and to continue doing that, they need to invest in their offensive line. Drafting Jackson is doing just that.
29. Washington Commanders: Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, CB, Junior (RS)
While giving quarterback Jayden Daniels another weapon is enticing, upgrading their cornerback is a bigger need. After a scorching 40– time at the Combine, Hairston has propelled himself into the first round. Along with that speed, his feistiness and surprising size will be great in Washington.
30. Buffalo Bills: Malaki Starks, Georgia, S, Junior
This is the biggest steal of the first round. While he plays a position with less value, Starks is undeniably a top ten player in this draft. He falls into the Bills’ lap, and with a need at safety, they’ll step up to the podium and gladly take him.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon, T, Junior
With the penultimate pick in this draft, the Chiefs draft Conerly from Oregon. Kansas City desperately needs to upgrade its offensive line, and Conerly is just that upgrade. If he pans out, he and fellow o-lineman Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith create a strong wall to protect QB Patrick Mahomes.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, WR, Senior
The champs end night one by adding to their receiving arsenal. Egbuka has fallen down the draft board in 5.0, but NFL teams love him as a player and a human. He’s sure-handed, smart, and reliable as a receiver. As a wide receiver three, he’ll have a lot of opportunities to thrive in Philly.
