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| Travis Hunter, Colorado to New York Giants |
1. Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Between a strong pre-Draft process and the fact the Titans have not signed another quarterback on their roster, it seems a near certainty Cam Ward will be the first player off the board in Green Bay in a matter of weeks. The talented signal-caller will need more support around him if he is to succeed in Tennessee, but his playmaking prowess immediately upgrades a Titan offense that has been lethargic in recent years.
Previous Selection: Abdul Carter, DE/LB
Other Possibility: Abdul Carter, DE/LB
2. Cleveland Browns
Abdul Carter, DE/LB, Penn State
It’s a question that seems to present itself every NFL Draft to teams drafting near the top of the board: Do they go with the potential franchise quarterback, or the best player available? The Browns certainly need an upgrade at QB, but I just can’t imagine them passing on Abdul Carter at this spot. With Carter and Myles Garrett, no other pass rush in the NFL will even so much as sniff as the Browns.
Previous Selection: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Other Possibility: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
3. New York Giants
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
There’s still mystery surrounding Travis Hunter and his likely role at the next level, but NFL teams seem to be increasingly warming to the idea of him spending time at receiver – in addition to his likely starting spot at corner. For the Giants, that two-way versatility is likely enough warrant selecting him here, even if they have greater needs than cornerback. At receiver, he could form a potent duo with Malik Nabers, and eventually push out the aging Darius Slayton.
Previous Selection: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Other Possibility: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
4. New England Patriots
Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Despite the discourse surrounding his arm size, LSU’s Will Campbell has emerged as the clear-cut best offensive line prospect in this Draft. The 6’6”, 320-pounder started for three years in the SEC and allowed just four sacks total, and he’s built on that with impressive showings in the pre-Draft. He may eventually flip inside to guard in the long-term but either way, he’d upgrade a Patriot O-Line that needs all the help it can get.
Previous Selection: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Other Possibility: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
I've had Mason Graham mocked to Jacksonville for some time now, and I remain convinced the Michigan product makes the most sense for the Jaguars. Graham feels like the type of rock-solid prospect who is going to have a long and productive career wherever he lands, and he would immediately upgrade a Jacksonville defensive front that could use some additional bite.
Previous Selection: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
Other Possibility: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Running backs are having their moment in this NFL Draft, and despite other prospects at the position continuing to ascend draft boards, Ashton Jeanty has not moved from his perch as the top tailback available. On the contrary, he increasingly looks like a Top 10 lock, and the Raiders in particular feel like the fit. Even with the addition of Raheem Mostert, Jeanty looks like the bell cow back Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly covet.
Previous Selection: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Other Possibility: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
7. New York Jets
Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
Another potential landing spot for Shedeur Sanders, but the Jets may instead to move forward operating as if Justin Fields is their long-term signal-caller. If that is indeed the case, New York would do well to fortify an offensive line that has several holes. Enter Armand Membou, a prospect who has risen into top offensive linemen consideration, and would be a great value play here.
Previous Selection: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
Other Possibility: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
8. Carolina Panthers
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Carolina could choose to add a piece in the trenches with this selection depending on what is available, but it would be awfully hard for the franchise to resist Tetairoa McMillan at this spot. The Arizona product checks all the boxes as a prototypical NFL receiver, and his unlimited catch radius would give Bryce Young an enjoyable weapon to work with on the perimeter.
Previous Selection: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Other Possibility: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
9. New Orleans Saints
Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
The Saints are a wild card with mere weeks until the 2025 NFL Draft. They have several areas of need, and could choose to invest in everything from edge rusher to cornerback, to receiver. The organization has never been afraid to take their chances on athletic pass rushers, and Shemar Stewart has cemented himself as a likely early first-round prospect.
Previous Selection: Tetaiora McMillan, WR, Arizona
Other Possibility: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
10. Chicago Bears
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Kelvin Banks Jr. is another prospect I've had locked into this draft position for some time now, and he makes even more sense for Chicago if Ashton Jeanty is off the board. The Bears have unsurprisingly invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason, but Banks is a superb prospect who could be the long-term solution at left tackle.
Previous Selection: Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas
Other Possibility: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
11. San Francisco 49ers
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson is setting up to be one of the steals of the 2025 NFL Draft. Based on team need and with Travis Hunter almost assured to go somewhere in the Top 5, Johnson could find himself falling to somewhere in the mid-first round, despite being an extremely well-rounded cornerback prospect. That's a win for San Francisco, who bolsters their secondary with the shutdown Michigan defensive back.
Previous Selection: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Other Possibility: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
12. Dallas Cowboys
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
One of the big winners from this year's Combine, Matthew Golden is increasingly looking like the consensus No. 2 receiver in this class behind Tetaiora McMillan. Dallas would love if Ashton Jeanty were to drop to them in this spot, but with that unlikely, they instead upgrade their offensive weaponry with Golden. The former Longhorn didn't quite have the production on the field of a prospect like McMillan, but his impressive physical traits will be hard for NFL teams to ignore.
Previous Selection: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Other Possibility: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
13. Miami Dolphins
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Offensive line remain a clear need for Miami in this spot, but with Campbell, Membou, and Banks all off the board, they instead get a replacement for Jevon Holland at safety. Malaki Starks has been a difference-maker since Day One for some loaded Georgia defenses, and gives this team a true playmaker at the position.
Previous Selection: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Other Possibility: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
14. Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
This could end up being far too low for Tyler Warren, who has a real shot to land somewhere in the Top 10. However, if he does fall to Indianapolis, the Colts will jump on the opportunity to land a dynamic tight end who can line up anywhere on the field. He upgrades a position that has been a revolving door for the franchise since the days of Dallas Clark.
Previous Selection: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Other Possibility: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
15. Atlanta Falcons
Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
It's felt like Atlanta has needed an impact pass rusher for well over a decade now, so this feels like a no-brainer for the organization given the options on the board. Mykel Williams struggled with consistency during his time in Athens, but projects well to the next level, and offers superb value in the mid-first round.
Previous Selection: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Other Possibility: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
16. Arizona Cardinals
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Bolstering the trenches will certainly be a priority for the Cardinals in this Draft, but the reality is that the entire defense needs to improve. That includes the back-end, where they can add immediate help in the form of Jahdae Barron. Barron, the reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation's top defensive back, is the type of impact defender that elevates an entire unit.
Previous Selection: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Other Possibility: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
17. Cincinnati Bengals
James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Trey Hendrickson's future in Cincinnati remains a complete mystery but no matter what happens with the Pro-Bowl defensive end, you get the sense the Bengals may look to add another pass rusher early on in this Draft. James Pearce Jr. seems to have slipped down draft boards after an up-and-down final season in Knoxville, but he makes plenty of sense here.
Previous Selection: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
Other Possibility: Mike Green, DE, Marshall
18. Seattle Seahawks
Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Sam Darnold is now the guy under center in Seattle, but do the Seahawks have enough in front of him to keep their new franchise quarterback upright? They need to address the position early, and North Dakota State's Grey Zabel has been trending here for some time. The ferocious blocker can play on the inside or out, giving this team some versatility that they have lacked.
Previous Selection: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
Other Possibility: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Jalon Walker is considered by most the top linebacker in this Draft, but he projects more as an edge rusher in the NFL than say, Jihaad Campbell, who will lock down an inside linebacker spot immediately. Campbell feels like a great fit in Todd Bowles' defense, and is likely to be the heir to Lavonte David at the position for Tampa Bay.
Previous Selection: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Other Possibility: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
20. Denver Broncos
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Omarion Hampton continues his rise up draft boards, and Denver is a perfect fit given their situation. Javonte Williams is now gone, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime as the favorites to take hold of the position, which feels underwhelming. Sean Payton instead adds a new toy to play with in Hampton, whose collegiate production speaks for itself.
Previous Selection: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Other Possibility: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
No prospect in this Draft is as polarizing as Shedeur Sanders, and few prospects are as difficult to mock as the former Colorado QB. There remains a chance he goes either second to Cleveland or third to the Giants, but if not, Sanders could take a serious tumble. I'm not sure whether Mike Tomlin would love for Sanders to be his next quarterback but it's obvious the Steelers need to figure this position out, and I can't imagine Sanders lasting longer than this spot.
Previous Selection: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Other Possibility: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Just because Colston Loveland played for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan doesn't mean the Chargers will reunite the pair, but this move makes sense in a number of ways. The tight end position has been a weak spot for the franchise since the Antonio Gates days, and with Justin Herbert entering his prime and LA looking to win now, they absolutely need to upgrade the weaponry around him.
Previous Selection: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Other Possibility: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
23. Green Bay Packers
Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Offensive line and cornerback are the most popular directions for Green Bay to go with this pick, but with most of the top options off the board by this point, expect GM Brian Gutekunst to throw a curveball. Michigan's Kenneth Grant was overshadowed by Mason Graham and several other NFL defenders during his time in Ann Arbor, but he's a disruptive interior linemen who could elevate the Green Bay rush defense from Day One.
Previous Selection: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Other Possibility: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
24. Minnesota Vikings
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Harrison Smith's Hall-of-Fame career appears to be coming to a close, even if he is set to return for the 2025 campaign. The Vikings get his potential replacement here in South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori, a long and rangy defender with impressive tape. He could become a cornerstone on the back-end for years to come, in much the way Smith has been for over a decade.
Previous Selection: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
Other Possibility: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
25. Houston Texans
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
There's some thought receiver could be in play for Houston in this spot, but I can't imagine the organization getting too far in this Draft without addressing the offensive line. They need to keep C.J. Stroud upright and healthy, and Ohio State's Josh Simmons would go a long way in doing just that. If not for an injury that cost him a big chunk of this past fall, Simmons would be in the mix to go within the Top 10-15 selections.
Previous Selection: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Other Possibility: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
26. Los Angeles Rams
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Trey Amos is one of those prospects who seems to be trending up at the right time, as the best of the rest in terms of cornerbacks beyond the trio of Hunter, Johnson, and Barron. At this spot, he makes plenty of sense for the Rams, who have lacked a true shutdown corner on the outside for some time - really since they dealt away Jalen Ramsey.
Previous Selection: Mike Green, DE, Marshall
Other Possibility: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
27. Baltimore Ravens
Jalon Walker, DE/LB, Georgia
I've had a difficult time mocking Jalon Walker throughout this entire Draft process. There's a very good chance he lands as high as the Top 10, but there just isn't an obvious landing spot for him. Wouldn't it be the most Baltimore thing ever to land a sliding prospect like him here? The Ravens need more pass rushing help, a need Walker would certainly fulfill.
Previous Selection: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Other Possibility: Mike Green, DE, Marshall
28. Detroit Lions
Mike Green, DE, Marshall
The Lions have been active in shoring up their defensive line this offseason, but it doesn't feel like any of the moves they've made are really going to move the needle for the organization. With an abundance of edge rushers available to them in the late first, I think they select one. Mike Green seems to be a fairly polarizing prospect, but he'd be quite the get at 28.
Previous Selection: Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
Other Possibility: Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
29. Washington Commanders
Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
Yet another prospect with a wide range on where he'll be drafted, you'll see Walter Nolen mocked everywhere from the Top 10-15 range to slipping out of the first. A player with his physical gifts, I just can't imagine Nolen being a Day Two pick, and Washington is in position to go best player available here with the way they've filled their other obvious needs this offseason.
Previous Selection: Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
Other Possibility: Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
30. Buffalo Bills
Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Buffalo could use some help on the interior defensive line, and Derrick Harmon happens to fall into their lap at this pick. Harmon began his career at Michigan State before transferring to Oregon this fall and becoming one of the most dominant linemen in the country. His nonstop motor will give the Bills a real presence in the heart of this unit.
Previous Selection: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Other Possibility: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
The Ducks go back-to-back in the late first, as Kansas City snags some offensive line help here in the form of Josh Conerly Jr. Conerly has always been on the NFL radar given his gigantic stature, but his improvement this past fall for Oregon makes him a likely first-rounder. If there are any questions about his ability to handle elite pass rushers, simply watch his tape against Abdul Carter in the Big Ten Championship.
Previous Selection: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Other Possibility: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
You can never have too many impact pass rushers in this league, and Philadelphia adds another one in the late first with Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku. His quickness and twitchiness off the edge has caught the eye of NFL scouts and there's a good chance Ezeiruaku ends up being a first-rounder, but he will need to bulk up for the next level.
Previous Selection: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Other Possibility: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
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