Now that the NFL's annual free agency frenzy has largely settled the market for veteran players, the 2025 NFL Draft beckons as the next chance for teams to add difference-making talent -- and many top prospects are seizing one more opportunity to show off their stuff at pro days. Knowing how rosters and needs have been impacted by the trades and signings that marked the beginning of the league year, it's time for me to bring out my third mock draft.
Below is my most recent attempt to sketch how Round 1 could play out when the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin:
The writing appears to be on the wall for the Titans to draft Ward, based on the public buzz that's been building. This would be their third pick used on a quarterback over the past four drafts as they continue their search for "the guy" at the most important position on the field.
I know the Browns need a quarterback, but Andrew Berry is an analytics-driven GM and seems to me much more likely to see Carter or Travis Hunter as the pick here than one of the quarterbacks beyond Ward.
It seems likely that the Giants will get phone calls from teams looking to move up into this spot, but sitting tight and taking a player who could impact Brian Daboll's team on either (or both?) sides of the ball is the play.
I'm sure the Patriots would be more than happy to trade out of this spot, but this might not be a draft in which teams are trying to move up early on. New England could desperately use help at left tackle and takes a hard-nosed player whom Mike Vrabel should love.
Graham doesn't have the freakish size, length or athleticism that others might offer, but he's tough, consistent and productive -- and that's what Jacksonville needs inside.
Ashton Jeanty is my favorite player in the draft, but this running back class is very deep. Walker is a hybrid edge/linebacker with the talent and football character to be a building block for the Raiders' current reset.
The Jets must run the ball and protect Justin Fields. They could take a shot with Carter Warren as the starting right tackle, but snagging a talent like Membou to plug in on the right side makes more sense, relative to the board.
Matching the Panthers with the right selection is tough if the board breaks this way; they clearly need pass rush help, so I'll stick with Williams, my pick for Carolina in the last mock, to bolster the D.
Mulling through the Saints' options here took some time, but incoming coordinator Brandon Staley is going to need an outside linebacker with top-tier athleticism who can rush the passer and cover for his 3-4 defense. Campbell is the lone guy remaining who fits that profile.
The Bears have done a good job improving their offensive line this offseason. The next step toward getting the most from Caleb Williams and that offense should be taking the most explosive playmaker in this draft.
Banks has the ability to slide over and take on the right tackle spot as a rookie -- and he could make the switch back to left tackle when Trent Williams hangs it up.
There are several positions the Cowboys can target here, including defensive tackle, but that position is deep this year, and Golden gives them an immediate starting option at receiver.
Just one look at the Dolphins' roster makes it obvious that the defensive line is a must-draft position for them, one they should hit more than once. Grant is a big talent with upside who still needs polish.
I would love to go in a different direction with a roster that feels in need of a truly bold shakeup (drafting Shedeur Sanders?!), but the Colts could use a big target at tight end with the mindset to fit in as a run blocker. Warren is a safe pick, but he's not a lock here.
The Falcons play a heavy percentage of zone, which is perfect for Johnson, who thrives as a ballhawk in those coverages. If Atlanta doesn't go with the corner here, the pick should be an edge rusher.
Arizona's hat-on-hat ground game appears to covet force over finesse -- and that should be fine by Booker, who can make the most of his power and size while run-blocking. He's also established a reputation as a strong team leader and culture setter.
It wouldn't be a total shock if defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who was granted permission to seek a trade in March and still has not landed a new deal with the team, is moved during the draft. Whether or not Hendrickson stays in Cincinnati, additional rush help is a need this year.
The signings of Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling should not prevent the Seahawks from adding a talented wideout to help smooth the transition for new quarterback Sam Darnold. They still need guard help, but that will have to come later.
Stewart is unpolished but has elite size and rare athletic ability, and he's able to play standing up or with a hand down. It could be tough for Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht to pass on these types of traits at a major position of need.
The board sets up nicely for the Broncos, who can turn in a variety of directions here. Hampton is a hard-charging physical specimen who can take some of the burden of moving the ball off the shoulders of young QB Bo Nix.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Les Snead -- no stranger to using draft capital aggressively -- trades up to grab the best cornerback on the board before the Chargers or Packers can go sniffing around.
Maybe I'm making a too easy connection here, pairing another former Wolverine with Jim Harbaugh, but Loveland is very talented and brings a much-needed pass-catching threat to the Chargers' offense.
Revel is big, long and fast, with the ability to shrink catch space down the field or step downhill and support against the run. Cornerbacks with size and speed typically get pushed up in the draft.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS
If the Browns have their eyes on Shedeur Sanders, they would be wise to trade from the 33rd overall pick into the first round, so they can secure the fifth-year option that would then come with Sanders' rookie contract. It helps that Minnesota, which currently owns just four selections in this draft, needs more picks.
The Texans have brought in competition at guard via the veteran market, but Jackson gives them a starting-caliber player with good athletic ability and a championship pedigree who can upgrade the interior pass protection.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES RAMS
Earlier in the pre-draft process, an NFC executive told me that Harmon "plays like a Raven or a Steeler." Well here we are, and the Steelers still need defensive line help after moving back in this mock.
Like Kyle Hamilton, Emmanwori is a safety with rare size -- but Emmanwori has better back-end range and ball-hawking skills, so adding him would allow Hamilton to play down and be part of the action more often.
Based on recent history, GM Brad Holmes looks for good athletes from big schools when drafting early, and we know he covets talent in the trenches. Conerly can challenge for a starting role at right guard right away, then take over at left tackle when the 31-year-old Taylor Decker moves on.
Amos is a smooth-hipped corner with natural man-cover talent who would give the Commanders better size to match up on the outside.
With Joey Bosa signed to a one-year deal in Buffalo, the Bills could bring Ezeiruaku along slowly as a rookie while still adding rush value to their defensive front with this pick.
Simmons' fall stops with Kansas City. He has the best size/length/athleticism profile at the left tackle position in this entire draft, which might be too much for Andy Reid and Brett Veach to pass on.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
With teams like the Giants (No. 34 overall) and Raiders (No. 37) sitting in front of the Saints (No. 40) in the second round, New Orleans swaps with the Eagles to land a quarterback.
