We’ve finally reached the week of the 2025 NFL Draft! Countless hours of watching film and breaking this all down is what it’s all about. We’ve done that and now we put together our final mock draft of the 2025 NFL Draft cycle.
Here’s how I see the first round playing out on Thursday for the 2025 NFL Draft. For more draft content, you can follow me on X: @RussNFLDraft
1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
This pick has been locked in for weeks. We’ll see how long it takes for the pick to be announced but all signs point to the Titans getting their new signal caller.
2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
Since the Senior Bowl, I’ve heard that Hunter would be the pick for the Browns. It’s been fun going back and forth between the two but ultimately, this pick will be Travis Hunter. The Browns should start him at cornerback and package him at wide receiver periodically each week.
3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, EDGE Penn State
It still wouldn’t surprise me if the Giants land on Shedeur Sanders from Colorado with this pick. They don’t have a long-term answer at quarterback and already have Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Chauncey Golston for their defense. That said, all signs point to Carter being the pick. If that’s the case, this gives the Giants a true identity on defense and they’re going to make life tough for opposing quarterbacks.
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Two weeks ago I received a text about the Patriots having interest in Georgia defender Jalon Walker. If he ended up being selected here, that wouldn’t be surprising. However, I think the Patriots are still sold on the idea of protecting quarterback Drake Maye. By adding Campbell, the Patriots get their left tackle of the future.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This one really comes full circle. Prior to the Senior Bowl, I had heard that the Jaguars were “high on Jeanty.” Since then, they’ve revamped their coaching staff and front office. Coming full circle, it appears that the Jaguars are set on the idea of selecting an offensive playmaker. Building around Trevor Lawrence is a smart choice and one of the best players in the draft is Jeanty. He helps Liam Coen build the identity for his offense.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
It wouldn’t be surprising if Kelvin Banks or Armand Membou were the selections here. But looking at the Raiders defense, they don’t have a long-term answer at linebacker. Devin White and Elandon Roberts are on the back end of their careers and playing under one-year contracts. By adding Walker, the Raiders get a chess piece to their defense that can play opposite of Maxx Crosby and align as a WILL linebacker on early downs.
7. New York Jets – Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
If Graham doesn’t get selected at this spot, I think he could fall a little bit (maybe 11th or 13th overall). That said, the Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is going to want players that fit his defense and it’s hard to say that Graham won’t fit here. He’s a high-motor player with good effort and active hands. The thought of pairing him with Quinnen Williams could lead to a dangerous combination in the middle of the Jets defensive line.
8. Carolina Panthers – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
We should keep tabs on the Panthers as a potential team to move back a few spots for a team wanting to come up for a wide receiver or offensive tackle. For the sake of my sanity, we won’t predict any trades and I think the Panthers could be higher on Mykel Williams than most teams. It’s been no secret this off-season that the Panthers have been trying to add to their pass rush and upgrade their defensive line. Adding Williams will help with that as he sets the edge and has the tools to develop into a double digit sack producer.
9. New Orleans Saints – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
As I’ve mentioned, we could see Membou off the board by this spot. Fortunately, he’s available and he would be a plug and play starter at right tackle for the Saints. There’s been improvements with Trevor Penning but not enough to prevent the Saints from swinging at right tackle again. Membou is physical, plays square and will finish blocks consistently in the run game. He’d pair nicely with Saints left tackle Taliese Fuaga.
10. Chicago Bears – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
We could see the Bears look to trade up but without predicting them, they stay put and add another piece to their offense for Caleb Williams. By adding Warren, they get a versatile tight end that can play in the slot, in-line or even take snaps in the backfield. I can only imagine what Ben Johnson may scheme up for the former quarterback.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Kelvin Banks Jr,, OT, Texas
There’s been a lot of speculation that the 49ers will take a defensive lineman in the first round. If Mykel Williams or Mason Graham were to fall in this spot, I think it’s likely. However, they don’t in this mock and the 49ers look to the future by adding Kelvin Banks Jr from Texas. He can wait in the wings behind Trent Williams or he could compete with Colton McKvitz for the starting right tackle spot.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Tet McMillan, WR, Arizona
It feels like wide receiver or bust for the Cowboys at this point. They could be intrigued with the cornerbacks (Johnson or Barron) but finding another pass catcher appears likely for the Cowboys. There’s been a lot of love for Matthew Golden in this spot but I think getting a big bodied receiver is far more important. McMillan provides run after catch ability and is able to high point the football while maintaining steady body control. He should contribute right away.
13. Miami Dolphins – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
With the news of Jalen Ramsey departing the Dolphins (at some point), the talent in their secondary is thin and ultimately, weak. Adding an immediate impact player is important and Barron could provide that. He can play inside, outside or even align as a safety for the Dolphins.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
When talking about the draft, Colts GM Chris Ballard mentioned he wants to add a pass-catching tight end at some point. That’s pretty eye opening for a team that is sitting in the driver seat to obtain either Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren. In this scenario, they land Loveland and if healthy, he can start right away for the Colts.
15. Atlanta Falcons – James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
There’s a lot of questions for James Pearce Jr off the football field. Up to this point, he’s certainly answered most of them. The question now becomes, which team is comfortable with drafting him? There’s a chance he slips into day two but at this point, I think he finds a way into the first round with so many teams wanting to acquire pass rush talent. One of those teams are the Falcons and they’re one of the teams that have done the most work on Pearce.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
There may not be a better landing spot for Shemar Stewart than right here with the Cardinals. He doesn’t have to be rushed onto the field and he could be used in a rotation with Calasis Campbell to start his career. By adding Stewart, this gives the Cardinals a pass rusher with the desired traits and athleticism to become a dominant producer in the NFL.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss
Some have suggested that Nolen could be off the board by this point so that will be worth monitoring. If he makes it to this spot, it would be a no-brainer for the Bengals to select him. Despite having B.J. Hill and Kris Jenkins Jr., the addition of Nolen gives them a versatile and violent interior defender that has the desired tools to be developed.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel, IOL North Dakota State
It’s important for the Seahawks to upgrade the interior part of their interior offensive line. By drafting a player such as Zabel, they get a versatile and experienced player (62 games with 46 career starts) that can contribute right away.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
I could see a scenario where Malaki Starks is off the board already. After all, he’s my 4th overall player. For now, he lands in the lap of the Buccaneers and he’s too good to pass up. He’s a versatile chess piece with some of the most consistent tape of any player in the draft. Starks is the exact player the Bucs look for on defense every year and it wouldn’t be surprising if he provided an immediate impact from day one.
20. Denver Broncos – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
I’m sold that the Broncos are taking an offensive player in the first round. With how much smoke has been surrounding them and running backs, it feels as if that will be the direction they go on Thursday. The question now becomes – will it be Omarion Hampton or TreVeyon Henderson? I lean towards Hampton as the Broncos have been tied to him through the entire process. He’s got a well-built frame with a strong lower half and the desired burst to threaten defenders in the open field.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The fall for Sanders stops here. It feels as if Sanders could fall just like Geno Smith did in the 2013 NFL Draft – we only saw 1 QB in round one of that draft. But again, the fall stops here and I just don’t see a scenario where the Steelers pass on a quarterback with only Mason Rudolph and Sklar Thompson on the depth chart. None of these quarterbacks are perfect but the Steelers are going to have to roll the dice on someone. Why not try it with the quarterback that Mike Tomlin is rumored to be a “fan” of?
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Chargers had 30-visits with Golden and McMillan so they’ve done some homework on the wide receivers in this draft. Adding another pass catcher around Justin Herbert is a smart move. Golden may not play the way he tested but there’s no denying his burst after the catch and he’s the type of receiver that can run vertically or work quicker routes in the short-and-intermediate areas of the field.
23. Green Bay Packers – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
During the draft process, I was asked if the Packers would really pay offensive tackle Rasheed Walker a contract that is north of $20 million dollars per season. That got me thinking, especially, after the Packers have met with Josh Simmons. It’s not exactly what the Packers do in the draft but protecting Jordan Love should be a priority. If it weren’t for the knee injury that Simmons suffered this season, we’d be talking about him as a top-15 lock in this draft. There’s a chance he could still go that high but if he ends up becoming available here, I think the Packers surprise a few folks with this selection.
24. Minnesota Vikings – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The fall for Johnson stops here. I know there’s injury and long-speed concerns but if there’s any defensive coach that can get the most out of his players, it will be Brian Flores. Johnson has shown that when he’s healthy, he’s a willing tackler and has some of the best ball skills of any cornerback in the draft. When he’s not healthy, he’s late turning out of his backpedal and isn’t as consistent in run support. By going to Minnesota, this gives him a chance to get healthy, faster and most importantly, puts him in a very good spot to succeed.
25. Houston Texans – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
I could see a scenario where Egbuka is already off the board at this spot. After all, he’s my top ranked receiver and my 10th overall player. That said, I know the Texans are very high on Egbuka and getting a solid pass catcher to pair with Nico Collins and C.J. Stroud is important for this offense. Egbuka receives praise for his leadership and ability to always get open. This one is a no brainer.
26. Los Angeles Rams – Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
One of my favorite players in the 2025 NFL Draft is Trey Amos from Ole Miss. He ended up as my 20th overall player and feels like an ideal fit for what the Rams look for on defense. Good athletes that compete, play aggressive and are good athletes. Amos has checked a lot of boxes through the draft process and he’d give the Rams a long-term option at cornerback.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Most teams are a wild card in the NFL Draft but every year that’s the case with the Ravens. I think adding to their defense makes a lot of sense and getting a pass rusher with a bunch of upside is a move I could see them making. Ezeiruaku plays with good flexibility and athleticism while having the desired arm length to create separation consistently. He could be a stand-up pass rusher that the Ravens have shown a history of drafting under John Harbaugh with the upside to produce at a high level.
28. Detroit Lions – Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
I could see the Lions drafting a defensive lineman or wide receiver in the first round. However, Brad Holmes has reiterated that they will draft good football players “for them.” There may not be a higher player on their board than Tyler Booker. He fits exactly what they’re looking for as he looks to destroy the opposition. I’d expect him to come in and compete and potentially start right away at left guard for the Lions.
29. Washington Commanders – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The shoulder and knee injuries scare Campbell down the board but there’s no denying that he’s one of the most athletic and explosive defensive playmakers in this draft. With Bobby Wagner operating under a one-year deal, the Commanders could look to Campbell as a potential replacement for the future. This allows Campbell to play and learn alongside one of the best linebackers in football but it also gives him a chance to get healthy and ease into a role for the Commanders defense.
30. Buffalo Bills – Derrick Harmon, IDL, Oregon
Drafting a cornerback is still something I could see the Bills do with this selection. If anything, I think they could be active and look to trade up in the first round. For now, I have them stay put and select Derrick Harmon from Oregon. When watching Harmon, he’s a versatile defender with long arms and the desired frame to withstand contact on a consistent basis. Best suited to play as a 3-technique or 4i-technique in the NFL, Harmon could pair well with Ed Oliver and Gregory Rousseau.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
It may not be possible for Mike Green to be available this low in the first round. Especially with so many teams needing pass rush help. However, he lands right in the lap of the Chiefs in this scenario, and he makes a ton of sense.
Green has an explosive first step and wins with how he can turn speed into power. With the Chiefs only registering 39 total sacks last season (tied for 18th in the NFL), there’s a potential need for some pass rush help. Green has some off-the-field accusations and balance concerns on the field. Overall, he could provide immediate pass rush help.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Eagles could look at a pass rusher in this spot. However, they did trade safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson this offseason, and they’re left with Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown and Lewis Cine at safety. They could be intrigued enough to use Cooper Dejean back there as well, but Nick Emmanwori would be an ideal fit for Vic Fangio.
When watching Emmanwori, it’s clear he’s a great athlete and has no issues running the alley. He’ll need to get faster at locating the football and his form tackling needs to become more consistent. Overall, he’s the type of player that has the athleticism and traits that teams bet on as a first-round draft pick.
