With the pre-draft process nearly complete, we're hurtling toward the actual proceedings in Green Bay, Wisconsin. So, how will the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft play out on April 24?
The short answer: I don't know. Nobody knows. That's why we're captivated by a sporting event that doesn't include the playing of a sport. It's what made mock drafting into a cottage industry. Uncertainty fuels intrigue.
The long answer: CHECK OUT MY 3,000-WORD VISION QUEST!!
At this juncture, mocking any other player in this draft slot would invite mockery. Ward appears destined to go No. 1 overall -- the only potential question is, who’s taking him? Theoretically, another quarterback-needy team could present the Titans with a Godfather offer. And yet, I still think they’d refuse. Reining in Ward’s devil-may-care playing style might be challenging, but who honestly thinks Brian Callahan would rather stick with the devil he knows, Will Levis?
The Draft Buzz-O-Meter [patent pending] has been shifting this pick to Travis Hunter. Understandable, especially given Cleveland’s dearth of offensive playmakers. But having Carter rush the passer opposite Myles Garrett for the rest of this decade is a five-year plan I can believe in. It doesn’t solve the franchise’s never-ending nightmare at quarterback, but think of the terror thrust upon opposing signal-callers. If you can’t beat ‘em, beat ‘em up!
When I last mocked Hunter to New York, longtime beat writer Paul Schwartz had just reported that the Giants see the two-way star as a cornerback. The New York Post scribe changed his tune this week, though, writing that the team’s evaluation remains fluid. The current state of the roster makes CB the bigger need, but a potential duo of Hunter and Malik Nabers makes WR the bigger splash. Maybe you can have your cake and eat it too, Big Blue!
New England just signed Milton Williams to a nine-figure deal, but fellow defensive tackle Christian Barmore remains an uncertainty due to recurring symptoms from blood clots. And regardless, does Mike Vrabel strike you as the kind of guy who’d be concerned about having too many disruptive D-linemen? Following a free agency spending spree that upgraded all three levels of the defense, the Patriots suddenly look like dark-horse contenders to field the league's best D in 2025. Adding an instant-impact leverage monster like Graham could push the unit over the top.
And not to fret, Drake Maye: I’ve got something up my sleeve to upgrade your protection in the back half of this mock.
Seemingly everyone -- including our resident prospect rankers in these parts, Daniel Jeremiah, Eric Edholm and Lance Zierlein -- has Jeanty as a top-five player in this class. So, what’s stopping him from being selected in the top five picks of this draft? Travis Etienne Jr.'s efficiency declined in 2023, and his production fell off a cliff in ’24. Tank Bigsby emerged as a rusher in Year 2, but he still seems ideally suited as a bruising RB2. Feels like a nice place to insert Jeanty, who just so happens to be a Jacksonville native. Trevor Lawrence has been supported by a top-20 ground game once, and in that 2022 season, he earned his lone Pro Bowl nod while the Jaguars took the AFC South and made noise in the playoffs. Seems relevant.
Concerns about Campbell’s arm length spawned questions about the LSU product’s NFL position, but there’s no question the Raiders’ unsettled offensive line could use his fundamentally sound blocking in some capacity. Athletic, powerful and cerebral, Campbell overcame any length shortcomings to earn All-SEC recognition in each of his three college seasons -- and he added consensus All-America honors to the résumé this past fall.
Coincidentally, Pete Carroll’s first draft in Seattle began with the selection of an offensive tackle at No. 6 overall (Russell Okung).
The Jets have high hopes for last year’s first-round tackle, Olu Fashanu, as a "dancing bear" pass protector on the blind side. Here’s a perfect opportunity to complete the bookend set with an RT prospect who offers rare athleticism and bully spirit in a 332-pound frame.
Coincidentally, Aaron Glenn’s first draft in Detroit began with the selection of an offensive tackle at No. 7 overall (Penei Sewell).
PROJECTED TRADE WITH CAROLINA PANTHERS
Across the mockosphere, Walker often comes off the board at No. 8 overall -- typically, though, the Carolinas native is projected to land in Charlotte. But in this simulation, the Panthers trade the pick to the Cowboys, who scoop up Walker for themselves. Wait, doesn’t Dallas already have a twitchy LB/edge hybrid? Yeah, but why settle for one Micah Parsons when you can have two?! Alright, that comp’s aggressive, but the pairing would be undeniably fun. And Parsons is a well-documented fan of Walker’s game.
With an aging roster pockmarked by restructured contracts and depth issues, New Orleans is no longer the land of bullish cap truthers. And with piles of dead presidents tied up in dead cap, the Saints could use the salary cheat code of a quarterback on a rookie contract. Sanders, like most first-year signal-callers, could benefit from a grace period before he’s expected to take the reins from the incumbent starter (Derek Carr). New head coach Kellen Moore has proven adept at working with young quarterbacks, particularly Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts.
EDITOR'S UPDATE: After publishing, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that Carr's availability for the 2025 season is in question thanks to a shoulder injury, with the QB considering surgery.
Every draft cycle is a set of waves ... take waves, which typically swell after tentpole events like the NFL Scouting Combine, pro days, etc. And when it comes to placing individual prospects in a mock, the trick is figuring out which wave to ride.
Mykel Williams got a ton of early buzz in draftworld, but it feels like the hype train has slowed over the last month or so. With the full disclosure that I have no inside intel on the subject, I’m guessing that the early buzz was real and this late cooling period is a product of teams trying to hide their interest.
Looking at San Francisco’s current depth chart, it’s shocking how unimposing the defensive line appears on paper. Yeah, the group is headlined by Nick Bosa, but beyond the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, where’s the beef? The Niners are particularly thin on the interior. So let’s give them a scheme-versatile D-lineman out of Oregon -- remember Arik Armstead, 49er Faithful? -- who has drawn the kind of subtle-yet-consistent praise throughout the pre-draft process that makes me believe he could go surprisingly high.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH DALLAS COWBOYS
Alignment versatility’s all the rage among NFL pass catchers. Consequently, inside/outside ability’s never been more valuable to NFL defenses. And that’s exactly what Barron provides. Having just won the Jim Thorpe Award as college football’s top defensive back, the Texas product lined up all over the field as a starter for the last three seasons, deftly executing different techniques across myriad coverages. Then he put the cherry on top with a 4.39 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Carolina just locked up CB1 Jaycee Horn through 2029. Jahdae can be the resourceful Robin to Jaycee’s Batman.
I’m not a doctor and I don’t play one on the internet, so I won’t pretend to know how much the torn patellar tendon Simmons suffered in October will ultimately affect his draft position later this month. That said, his participation in Ohio State’s pro day last month -- albeit in a limited capacity -- was a positive sign, right? And a common sentiment among draftniks is that Simmons would have been OT1 in this class without the injury. So, Miami hops on the distressed asset as a long-term replacement for the recently retired Terron Armstead.
Many folks have the Colts taking a tight end, just usually not this one. Tyler Warren is the popular pick, but I’m bucking that trend with the belief that some teams could value Loveland’s route artistry at the position over Warren’s throwback skill set. Shoot, the Michigan product is running whip routes at nearly 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds!
At the Annual League Meeting, Arthur Blank let the cat out of the translucent bag:
"The emphasis on the draft will certainly be on the defensive side of the ball,” the Falcons owner said. “I think that's pretty obvious to everybody."
Atlanta could target an edge rusher here, but in this scenario, Johnson might be too good a value to pass on. If the pedigreed cover man does something at his long-awaited workout to quell lingering concerns about his long speed -- like run a 40 in the 4.4s -- he could fly up the draft board.
With a pair of big-bodied wideouts in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson and a freshly PAID tight end in Trey McBride, the Cardinals could use a true “Z” to pop the top off the defense and create space underneath. Not that Golden’s strictly a vertical speed merchant. In fact, his 4.29 40 at the combine pleasantly caught everyone by surprise. But the three-level threat clearly has the juice to complement the existing pass catchers in Arizona, giving the Cards an alluring young receiving corps.
Cincinnati has struggled with safety play since letting Jessie Bates III walk in free agency. Starks offers pedigree (five-star recruit), high-level experience (three-year starter at Georgia) and versatility (significant snaps as a box defender, nickelback and single-high safety). He lacks supreme athletic testing, having posted underwhelming numbers in Indy. But don’t overthink it! The man’s play speed is undeniable, while his cerebral approach to the game is gold on the pre-draft interview circuit. It might be illegal with a prospect this accomplished, but I’m claiming Starks as MY GUY in the 2025 draft class.
To casual observers, this is a surprising selection. To draft sickos, this is the hottest name nobody knew a few months ago. Zabel started all across the offensive line at North Dakota State, but he’ll most likely man one of the three interior spots in the NFL. That’s an area where the Seahawks must improve. Zabel turned heads working as a center at the Senior Bowl and showcased exceptional athleticism at the combine. Seems like a fine fit in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s outside-zone scheme.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The reason Warren goes a lot higher in most mocks: He could be a true “Y” tight end, a dying breed of player who’s equal parts blocker and receiver, offering real inline ability.
The reason Warren drops a bit in this mock: It feels like most modern offenses overwhelmingly value receiving ability over blocking prowess at TE1, typically preferring agile weapons who can route guys up.
That said, Jim Harbaugh loves tight ends of all shapes, sizes and play styles, so when Warren starts to slide in this exercise, he vaults right in front of the division-rival Broncos to claim this prize.
With the possible exception of Shedeur Sanders, McMillan could have the widest draft range in this year’s mock madness. I had him going sixth overall in Version 1.0 and still can easily imagine him coming off the board in that area. But in today’s simulation, he falls right into Denver’s lap, giving Bo Nix another big-bodied target who can learn from (and eventually replace) Courtland Sutton.
Regardless of who ends up starting under center in Pittsburgh, you have to imagine this team will continue to pound the rock. The Steelers have ranked top 10 in rushing attempts in every season since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, vaulting to No. 4 in Arthur Smith’s maiden voyage as offensive coordinator last year. Smith remains at the controls, but Najee Harris -- who easily paced Pittsburgh in every major rushing category over each of the past four seasons -- departed in free agency. Hampton’s a true bell-cow back who could allow the Steelers to keep Jaylen Warren in the change-of-pace role that seems to suit him best.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Who wouldn’t like to see Grant line up alongside Vita Vea to block out the sun with 700 pounds of BEEF? Opposing offensive lines, presumably. Like Vea, Grant offers a rare blend of colossal size, raw power and eye-popping athleticism. With those two clogging run lanes, Calijah Kancey can do what he does best: rush the passer.
The continuing uncertainty surrounding Jaire Alexander makes corner a need in Green Bay. Frankly, even if Alexander and the Packers are able to work things out and stay together in 2025 -- a possibility GM Brian Gutekunst recently raised -- the 28-year-old has missed double-digit games in three of the last four seasons, further underscoring the need to fortify the position. With good size and coverage versatility, Amos is the type of CB the Pack typically target. And his 4.43 40 in Indy alleviated any potential speed concerns.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Told you I wouldn’t leave you high and dry, Drake!
After using the No. 4 overall pick to bolster the defensive line, the Patriots jump back into Round 1 to upgrade the O-line. Sending Minnesota its second-round pick (No. 38) and the higher of its two third-rounders (No. 69), New England leapfrogs a slew of tackle-needy teams to secure Banks. Having logged 42 starts at left tackle in his three years at Texas, Banks deserves the opportunity to man the blind side in the NFL, even if some project a move to the inside.
Having just been beaten to the punch on the hometown tackle above, the Texans go west to grab an alluring Oregon prospect at the position. Conerly’s still developing his game, but the upside’s enticing. With the stopgap signing of veteran LT Cam Robinson, Houston can allow Conerly to ease into the NFL before hopefully becoming the long-term replacement for Laremy Tunsil.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES RAMS
Considering Stewart is an edge rusher who totaled 4.5 sacks in three years at Texas A&M, how should Lions-aligned readers feel about this projection? Well, two things can be true at the same time:
- The meager sack production is highly concerning.
- The meager sack production is the only reason he’s theoretically still available for Detroit in this range.
A former five-star recruit out of the Miami area, Stewart is a long, large, freak-show athlete who predictably blew up the combine. And despite the routinely-cited sack figures (exactly 1.5 in each of his three college seasons), he led a talented A&M D-line with 39 pressures last season, per Pro Football Focus.
All of which is to say, Stewart could be long gone by this point on April 24. So, in the here and now of this mock, Detroit jumps at the opportunity to land a traitsy running mate for Aidan Hutchinson.
FREAK-SHOW RUN!!! If Shemar Stewart made a splash at the combine, Nick Emmanwori performed a cannonball. Arriving in Indy at a chiseled 6-3 1/8 and 220 pounds, the South Carolina safety blazed the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds and nearly jumped out of Lucas Oil Stadium (43-inch vertical, 11-foot-6 broad). Emmanwori’s not just an Underwear Olympian, either; he started during all three of his seasons in the SEC, leading South Carolina in tackles during two of those campaigns and earning first-team All-America honors from The Associated Press in 2024.
And here’s the really amusing part: Imagine him playing alongside Swiss Army Knife safety Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH DETROIT LIONS
A first-team All-SEC linebacker with hybrid skills as a pass rusher, Campbell put on a show in Indianapolis. But post-combine shoulder surgery has created uncertainty around his draft stock. If he makes it all the way to Los Angeles, this could be a coup for the Rams. The only problem with this projection? Well, Les Snead hasn’t spent a top-100 pick on a linebacker since back when the Rams were in St. Louis (Alec Ogletree, No. 30 overall, 2013). But Campbell could be a monster in Chris Shula’s defense, extending the fun youth movement up front to the second level. So, I say EFF THEM PICK TENDENCIES!!
An impressive physical specimen at a hair under 6-2 with pterodactyl length, Revel was poised to make a national name for himself in 2024. But then he tore his ACL during a practice in September, prematurely ending his final season at ECU and preventing him from showing his wares in the pre-draft process. Out of sight, but not out of mind. I anticipate a playoff team scooping him up in the back stretch of Round 1 as a long-term value pick with a potentially massive ROI. And a traitsy corner with serious press-man upside seems like something Dan Quinn could be interested in.
Ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 overall recruit over Travis Hunter in the class of 2022, Nolen put it all together in his final college season, becoming the 14th consensus All-American in Ole Miss history. With a smaller defensive front that was overpowered in some big spots last season, Buffalo could opt for a heftier defensive tackle. (I gave them 334-pound beast Tyleik Williams in this space last time.) That said, Nolen has intoxicating potential as an explosive gap-shooter, and that could be tough to pass on if still available when the Bills come on the clock.
Green’s a difficult prospect to project, given the off-field allegations he addressed at the combine. The on-field production speaks for itself, as Green just led the nation with 17 sacks. And although many of those came against Sun Belt competition, he tallied three sacks and a bunch of pressures in nonconference games against Virginia Tech and Ohio State. A twitched-up edge rusher whose motor always runs hot, Green could be a steal for K.C. if he falls this far and Andy Reid’s comfortable with his character.
Ezeiruaku fittingly comes off the board right after Mike Green, as the Boston College star fell a half-sack shy of his Marshall counterpart for last season's FBS crown in sacks, finishing with 16.5. He has an odd body type for an edge rusher: slightly undersized at 6-2 1/2 and 248 pounds, but with 34-inch vines for arms. Howie Roseman isn’t afraid to take a walk on the wild side, though. Remember when the Eagles selected Nolan Smith near the end of Round 1 two years ago despite concerns about his substandard dimensions? That move just paid serious dividends in Philadelphia’s second Lombardi Trophy run.
