2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Travis Hunter, Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Abdul Carter all go Top 5

We’re officially in the offseason and now is the perfect time to dive into mocks for the 2025 NFL Draft! We’re fresh off the Senior Bowl and inching closer and closer to the 2025 NFL Combine. The 2025 draft class is aggressively tilted toward defense, but don’t let that fool you — big changes are coming across the board!

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2025 NFL Draft Date, Location, and Where To Watch

• Date: April 24-26, 2025
• Location: Green Bay, WI
• Where To Watch: NFL Network, ESPN

2025 NFL Draft First Pick Odds

Click here for the latest 2025 NFL Draft Odds

2025 NFL Mock Draft Round 1 Picks

Pick 1: Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward – QB, Miami, Senior

The lack of a clear-cut “generational” talent at quarterback has made the first few picks a bit of a mystery, despite the clear needs at quarterback. While there’s speculation Tennessee could pass on a quarterback, they simply can’t afford to wait for Day 2 and draft Will Levis 2.0. 

Pick 2: Cleveland Browns – Abdul Carter – EDGE, Penn State, Junior

Unlike the Titans, Cleveland can afford to wait. While that might seem counterintuitive because Deshaun Watson’s 2025 and beyond is in serious jeopardy, their team could succeed with an appropriate bridge quarterback — perhaps Sam Darnold. With Myles Garrett requesting a trade, drafting Carter is a logical move. 

Pick 3: New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders – QB, Colorado, Senior

I don’t see a scenario where the Giants pass up on Ward or Sanders, if available. The free agent market is slim and Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are on their last leg. The Giants must take a leap of faith and Sanders is a player who would bring stability to the offense.

Pick 4: New England Patriots – Travis Hunter – CB/WR, Colorado, Junior

New head coach Mike Vrabel would love to lead with a defensive pick and there are two massive gaps the Patriots must fill — receiver and offensive line. New England swung and missed at Calvin Ridley in free agency last year. If they can’t secure Tee Higgins, Hunter is the perfect fit to draft a marquee corner and address the need at receiver. 

Pick 5: Jacksonville Jaguars – Tetairoa McMillan – WR, Arizona, Junior

I think McMillan is a stronger fit for New England, but the appeal of dual-threat capabilities should make them lean toward Hunter. Brian Thomas Jr. was phenomenal this year, but Gabe Davis has been a disappointment and Christian Kirk is a cut candidate. Liam Coen’s offense needs an additional weapon and McMillan is a strong option. 

Pick 6: Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty – RB, Boise State, Junior

Go ahead and get your pitchforks out! No one likes to see running backs drafted early, but Jeanty is a clear Round 1 pick and it’s simply a matter of who grabs him first. Vegas has needs across the board and that often means drafting based on elite talent rather than being tied to positional needs. Jeanty is a truly elite back and Vegas won’t be able to resist this massive upgrade. 

Pick 7: New York Jets – Mason Graham – DL, Michigan, Junior

The Jets have a lot to address with multiple offensive linemen in free agency, the split from Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson likely the only remaining receiver. However, defensive line is a priority and Aaron Glenn can hang his hat on snagging Graham. 

Pick 8: Carolina Panthers – James Pearce Jr. – EDGE, Tennessee, Junior

Team Bryce Young is up! While we would love to see a shiny new WR1 for Young, the Panthers’ most glaring need is on defense, particularly the line. Building a functional pass rush and stopping the run is paramount. Pearce Jr. would be the immediate and much-needed keystone piece. 

Pick 9: New Orleans Saints – Will Johnson – CB, Michigan, Junior

I’m not 100% sold on this pick because new head coach Kellen Moore could opt for a tight end, but positional depth means picking a tight end this early isn’t a must. Trading Marshon Lattimore opened up a need at cornerback and if Johnson is available, it’s tough to see the Saints passing him up.

Pick 10: Chicago Bears – Will Campbell – OT, LSU, Junior

The Bears must draft an offensive lineman here. The visual of Caleb Williams lying across the bench suffering from shellshock is too much to bear. All the weapons in the world can’t make up for a poor offensive line that has plagued the franchise for years. Campbell is the only option here. 

Pick 11: San Francisco 49ers – Kelvin Banks Jr. – OT, Texas, Junior

The anticipated exit of Charvarius Ward is a major issue, but if Will Johnson is unavailable, I see the 49ers pivoting to offensive line. Trent Williams will be 37 in 2025. They must build for the future. 

Pick 12: Dallas Cowboys – Luther Burden III – WR, Missouri, Junior

I’m approaching this draft from the perspective of what I believe each franchise will do. While I do not advise the Cowboys draft a receiver, it’s such a Cowboys thing to do. If Jeanty is unavailable, the Cowboys will pivot to another offensive weapon and take the best available receiver. 

Pick 13: Miami Dolphins – Josh Simmons – OT, Ohio State, Senior

Defensive positional needs could win out here but ultimately, the Dolphins are committed to Tua Tagovailoa and the offense simply cannot function if he’s not on the field. Protecting Tua is critical and the Dolphins’ offensive line is average at best. Reinforcing the line is a solid move.

Pick 14: Indianapolis Colts – Tyler Warren – TE, Penn State, Senior

Every year we’re waiting for a tight end to emerge in Indianapolis and our dreams may finally come to fruition! With the depth at tight end, I don’t anticipate another team grabbing Warren. Despite their record, the Colts don’t have any specific glaring needs. They scream “best available talent” and Warren fits the build. 

Pick 15: Atlanta Falcons – Mike Green – EDGE, Marshall, Junior

Every draft, we think “There’s no way the Falcons take another skill position in the first,” and after four straight years, I believe we’ve finally reached the end of an era. The offense is stacked with talent and the Falcons must focus on defense and it all begins with EDGE.

Pick 16: Arizona Cardinals – Armand Membou – OG, Missouri, Junior

The Cardinals’ offensive line could stand to make some improvements and additional protection for Kyler Murray is never a bad thing — particularly more time in the pocket to hopefully find Marvin Harrison Jr. EDGE is another possibility here, but adding Membou to the trenches is an excellent move.

Pick 17: Cincinnati Bengals – Mykel Williams – EDGE, Georgia, Junior

Joe Burrow can throw for 5,000 yards and it ultimately means nothing if the defense can’t stop anyone. With trade rumors swirling around Trey Hendrickson, EDGE could be the Bengals' top target.

Pick 18: Seattle Seahawks – Shemar Stewart – EDGE, Texas A&M, Junior

Seattle has been fairly consistent in drafting the best available player, and Stewart’s ceiling makes this a very intriguing value pick. Seattle’s edge rushers are young but that’s never stopped Seattle from investing in a position and their line could use an upgrade.

Pick 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Nic Scourton – EDGE, Texas A&M, Junior

Back-to-back edge rushers flying off the board puts pressure on the Bucs and they grab Scourton. The offense is stacked and they must focus on improving the defense at all positions.

Pick 20: Denver Broncos – Emeka Egbuka – WR, Ohio State, Senior

While the Broncos have some young potential in Marvin Mims and Devaughn Vele, an elite pass catcher opposite Courtland Sutton will push the offense forward. Tight end is a possibility, but I see Denver leaning toward a receiver.

Pick 21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Matthew Golden – WR, Texas, Junior

George Pickens’ talent is undeniable but lack of consistency ultimately makes him a clear WR2, and no other receiver on the roster is remotely close to emerging as a viable option. The Steelers remain stacked on defense and investing in a receiver is a must.

Pick 22: Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland – TE, Michigan, Junior

2024 mocks often had the Chargers taking Brock Bowers, but they chose Joe Alt. The Chargers need additional help on the line but locking in a high-upside tight end is a strong pick.

Pick 23: Green Bay Packers – Walter Nolen – DT, Ole Miss, Junior

The Packers need a true WR1. However, at Pick 23, the ideal pick is gone and the Packers will continue their strategy of targeting a receiver in the second. The Packers’ defense made a leap in 2024, but they must continue to reinforce the trenches.

Pick 24: Minnesota Vikings – Benjamin Morrison – CB, Notre Dame, Junior

Minnesota’s needs are very straightforward — free agency is a major issue and with multiple cornerbacks potentially exiting, this is a perfect spot to grab a day-one starter.

Pick 25: Houston Texans – Tyler Booker – OG, Alabama, Junior

C.J. Stroud’s 2024 regression was largely due to Stroud fighting for his life behind PFF’s fourth-lowest graded line. Grabbing a lineman is an essential pick here and Booker is the top-graded guard. 

Pick 26: Los Angeles Rams – Jahdae Barron – CB, Texas, Senior

The Rams have multiple offensive linemen hitting free agency, but with the announcement of Cooper Kupp’s looming exit, we’ll likely see them pay and retain the line. The Rams struck gold on defense with Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. A new corner is the perfect addition.

Pick 27: Baltimore Ravens – Josh Conerly Jr. – OT, Oregon, Junior

The Ravens have one of the strongest lines in the league but have multiple free agents. While they should prioritize retaining one, money is tight and they may turn to the draft with a strong option like Conerly. 

Pick 28: Detroit Lions – Grey Zabel – OT, North Dakota State, Senior

The Lions don’t have any glaring needs but tend to make bold moves and Zabel is a big swing, high-ceiling prospect. A strong and deep line is integral to the Lions' offense.

Pick 29: Washington Commanders – Jack Sawyer – EDGE, Ohio State, Senior

Dan Quinn did a good job making due with a gutted defense, but expect the Commanders to invest on that side of the ball in 2025. Their pass rush is severely lacking and Sawyer would be an excellent addition.

Pick 30: Buffalo Bills – Kenneth Grant – DT, Michigan, Junior

Buffalo does have a glaring need at receiver. However, they should lean towards passing and grabbing Grant at excellent value. The Bills’ defense struggled in 2025 and Grant would be a significant upgrade. 

Pick 31: Kansas City Chiefs – Trey Amos – CB, Ole Miss, Senior

This isn’t a reactionary pick. The Chiefs’ corners getting lit up in the Super Bowl was nothing new. Their pass defense struggled with the loss of L’Jarius Sneed and they must invest in corner.

Pick 32: Philadelphia Eagles – Landon Jackson – EDGE, Arkansas, Senior

The Eagles are in a precarious situation with two potential losses at EDGE (via free agency or retirement) and investing in that position is a strong move. Jackson is best available here but don’t be shocked if another elite talent slips through the cracks. Howie Roseman can’t keep getting away with it … but he will.