The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner. We have a ton more insight into the prospects, the teams and what the draft will ultimately look like. Unlike my Mock Draft 1.0, I’m going to look at potential trades and I’m going to plant a couple of flags.
Let’s dive in!
Jake Parry’s Final 2025 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks & Predictions
1. Tennessee Titans: Cameron Ward (QB, Miami)
Original guess: Abdul Carter (EDGE/LB, Penn State)
By this point, pretty much everyone and their grandma knows this pick. Currently sitting on most sportsbooks at -20000, Tennessee gets their QB of the future in Cam Ward. They get to move on from the Will Levis experiment and get the best quarterback prospect in the class.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter (CB/WR, Colorado)
Original guess: Cameron Ward (QB, Miami)
Again, not much surprise here, as Travis Hunter is the player likely to be selected. Cleveland has been reportedly fielding trade calls for the second overall pick, but I think they ultimately stick and pick here. Hunter gives them a new face of the franchise, which they desperately need, and his dual-threat skill set fills their gaps on both sides of the ball.
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter (EDGE/LB, Penn State)
Original guess: Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
Abdul Carter is the betting favorite for this pick and ultimately, I think the Giants get a steal here. In my opinion, Carter is the single best player and has the most upside in the class. He can immediately step onto an NFL field and contribute, in both coverage and as a pressure-making asset. Much like the Browns, the Giants have been fielding calls but I ultimately think they stick and pick here as well, given the trade-up candidates likely won’t pay the price.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell (OT, LSU)
Original guess: Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
My colleague Steve Lawson will hate this but Will Campbell is the betting favorite here for the fourth overall pick and it makes sense. The Patriots had one of the worst offensive lines in football in 2024, as they ranked in the bottom three in both run and pass blocking. They added Morgan Moses in the offseason but Campbell should still get every chance to play tackle in the NFL. Some think his arms may kick him inside but I think the mentality he has will allow him to overcome those odds.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham (DL, Michigan)
Original guess: Mason Graham (DL, Michigan)
This is where the draft starts. Some books project Ashton Jeanty here, some books Mason Graham. Ultimately, I still think Graham is the pick here. He fits a major need this team and projects as possibly the best run-stopper in the class. Graham is the smart pick here but who knows if the Jaguars will be smart?
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Armand Membou (OL, Missouri)
Original guess: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
Jeanty is the betting favorite here but this team is not a running back away from competing. Will they make the smart pick and take Armand Membou, an extremely athletic offensive line prospect who can likely flex inside to guard or stick at tackle pending team needs, or will they continue to be the Raiders and make the wrong choice? Only time will tell…
7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
Original guess: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
With the quarterback position locked down after signing Justin Fields in free agency, the Jets will likely take Tyler Warren to shore up their offensive playmakers. As almost everyone’s favorite tight end in the draft, Warren gives Fields a secondary pass catcher to Garrett Wilson, who can be a threat in the middle of the field. The Jets could go multiple ways here but Warren seems to be the most likely.
8. Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
Original guess: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
The new Panthers head coach, Dave Canales, seems to have made a breakthrough with Bryce Young, who showed significant improvement towards the end of 2024. I think they will address the team’s biggest weakness on offense, which is the wide receiver position. They’ve attempted to address it multiple times over the last few years, reaching on players like Jonathan Mingo and Xavier Legette and signing Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen. This hasn’t worked out for them, but they could draft the best option to fix this issue in “Tet” McMillan. He immediately slots in as a flexible WR1 who can play in the slot or outside, and he is likely the consensus WR1 in the class (though he isn’t mine). While Jalon Walker is the betting favorite here, I think the Panthers and their offensive-minded coach will start to address this need.
9. New Orleans Saints: Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss)
Original guess: James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee)
New Orleans needs a quarterback, as we recently got the news that Derek Carr will likely miss the season with a shoulder injury. Dart is a gun-slinger in the mold of Derek Carr and fits new head coach Kellen Moore‘s system very well. Though Jaxson Dart will likely be a surprising pick here, it shouldn’t be that surprising given all of the quarterbacks that we felt were drafted “early” last season.
10. Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
Original guess: Will Campbell (OT, LSU)
New head coach Ben Johnson gets his guy. Ashton Jeanty ends up the Bears’ pick at 10 to shore up the running back room, giving Johnson the same one-two punch he had in Detroit. Jeanty is a generational talent at the position and with the Bears so aggressively targeting the offensive line this offseason, they have the flexibility to take him.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
Original guess: Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia)
The 49ers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and they are in a good spot to address some of their team’s needs. Will Johnson, who in my opinion deserves to be a top-five pick in most draft classes, gives San Francisco the chance to fix the holes that have surfaced within the last year in their secondary and bring their defense back to a respectable level of play.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
Original guess: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
Matthew Golden stays in the Lone Star State and Dallas secures itself a solid WR2 option to take the pressure off CeeDee Lamb. Golden has flown up boards in recent months, but the talent is there and he should immediately make an impact for this Dallas offense that struggled for most of 2024.
13. Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT, Texas)
Original guess: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT, Texas)
Miami still gets my original projection here and shores up their offensive line in a big way by taking Kevin Banks Jr., who projects as one of the best pure tackles in the class.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
Original guess: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
The position stays the same, even though the name changes. The Colts select Colston Loveland, who may have more upside than any tight end prospect in this class. Between wide receivers Michael Pittman and Josh Downs and running back Jonathan Taylor and Loveland, Anthony Richardson will have no excuse if he cannot perform in 2025 (if he can even secure the starting job over Daniel Jones).
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
Original guess: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
I have the Falcons addressing a team need here and selecting Jalon Walker out of Georgia. He is a versatile player who can line up at any linebacker position or as a pure edge rusher. He’s also solid in coverage, making him a perfect fit for Atlanta’s 3-4 scheme. He can be a dynamic player at the next level if all works out and Atlanta is practically a perfect fit in my mind.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
Original guess: Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri)
My WR1 in the class joins his former college teammate, Marvin Harrison Jr., in an Arizona offense that desperately needs pass catchers. Emeka Egbuka is a solid all-around wide receiver who will offer this offense the ability to move around pieces and get creative in a way that no other receiver in this draft class can offer.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
Original guess: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
Consensus for this pick varies heavily but word out of Bengals camp is that a safety will be the pick here. While I prefer others, Malaki Starks gives them a safe, talented option to plug into the defense immediately. The offense isn’t a concern for this team but the defense has consistently held them back. They start to solve that issue with this pick.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Greg Zabel (IOL, North Dakota State)
Original guess: Tyler Booker (IOL, Alabama)
Seattle has constantly had issues with the offensive line over the last few years and I think they attempt to shore up those concerns here. Zabel has established himself as one of the top offensive line prospects in this class and his story makes him a guy that’s easy to root for. Given that he has experience at nearly every position on the line, he screams that he’s the right pick here.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia)
Original guess: Nic Scourton (EDGE, Texas A&M)
Mykel Williams isn’t expected to fall this far in most mock drafts, but I fully expect that he is Tampa Bay’s pick if he is available here. Williams is a consistently productive EDGE who fits a major need of this Tampa Bay defense. While not necessarily the “fun” EDGE in this class, Williams is the safest to provide solid play at the very least.
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
Original guess: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
Sean Payton gets his new-age Reggie Bush. Omarion Hampton, my RB3 in the class, has consensus backing him to be the RB2 off the board and he makes a lot of sense for this team. He can do everything you need for a running back and adds a great safety net for Bo Nix, while also having the ability to take games over. This is something the Denver offense lacked severely at times last year and Hampton would be a refreshing upgrade at the running back position.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
Original guess: Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
While this pick is likely contingent on Aaron Rodgers, Shedeur Sanders gives the Steelers a chance to reset at the quarterback position after letting Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk in free agency. While Sanders has his warts, he should provide solid, steady quarterback play for years to come, which is something that could help re-establish the Steelers as a perennial threat.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
Original guess: Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
Nick Emmanwori was arguably the best safety in College Football. He’s reliable in coverage while also demonstrating elite tackling, giving Jim Harbaugh a flexible defensive back who will fit perfectly into their team’s scheme. I still expect this to be the route taken by the Chargers, though many are expecting them to focus on the defensive line.
23. Green Bay Packers: Shemar Stewart (DL, Texas A&M)
Original guess: J.T. Tuimoloau (EDGE, Ohio State)
Shemar Stewart gives the Packers some much-needed athleticism on the defense. If they can help him develop and take the next step, they get themselves a true potential difference maker.
24. Chicago Bears (via trade with Minnesota Vikings): James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee)
Original guess: Kenneth Grant (DL, Michigan)
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has not been shy about trading within the division, having made multiple trades with the Packers and Lions over the years. This year, he completes the “NFC North Gauntlet” by trading with Chicago and getting his final infinity stone. In exchange, the Bears get an athletic, flexible pass rusher to slot in across from Montez Sweat. James Pearce Jr.’s athletic profile lines up heavily with one that General Manager Ryan Poles has favored since taking over in Chicago, so he makes a ton of sense here.
25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons (OT, Ohio State)
Original guess: Jonah Savaiinaea (OT, Arizona)
Houston has made it very clear that they are completely revamping their offensive line. Josh Simmons is projected as the best tackle on the board at this pick, though the Texans remain a candidate for a trade up to snag Kelvin Banks. Ultimately, I believe they reunite Simmons with former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and give him a much-needed revamp at tackle.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Maxwell Hariston (CB, Kentucky)
Original guess: Maxwell Hariston (CB, Kentucky)
Maxwell Hariston is a ballhawk corner who has consistently proven his worth to his teams. As a sophomore, he led the SEC in interceptions and is a co-holder of an SEC record with two pick-sixes in the same game. He can certainly put on some weight but I bet Sean McVay and company fall in love with the skill set here. Nothing has changed from my original projection.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Booker (IOL, Alabama)
Original guess: Wyatt Milum (OT, West Virginia)
Tyler Booker is a guard prospect who can help Baltimore shore up their offensive line. While Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten were among the players that could be considered “fine” in 2024, there is a clear need for an upgrade to the offensive line. Booker can play most interior offensive line positions and offers the mentality that coach John Harbaugh has stressed in the past.
28. Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
Original guess: Shemar Stewart (DL, Texas A&M)
Donovan Ezeiruaku has been consistently productive since stepping onto the field at Boston College, where he logged three sacks as a reserve player. Since then, he’s consistently led this team in sacks and TFLs (Tackles For Loss), and won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s best defensive end in 2024. He is an immediate starter on this line and insurance in case Aidan Hutchinson is not one hundred percent to start the year.
29. Washington Commanders: Walter Nolen (DL, Ole Miss)
Original guess: Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss)
While EDGE is a bigger need here than an interior defensive lineman, Walter Nolen is the single best defensive player left on this board in terms of upside (if he even falls this far). While he is not a safe player by any means, Washington is in a spot to take that risk and get one of the highest upside players left.
30. Buffalo Bills: Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
Original guess: Isaiah Bond (WR, Texas)
While Buffalo clearly needs help on the offensive side of the ball, the consensus seems to be defense here and if someone like Benjamin Morrison is left, it makes sense as a pick. Morrison is one of the best defensive back prospects in this class and he immediately improves the pass defense of this team.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr. (OT, Oregon)
Original guess: Shavon Revel Jr. (CB, East Carolina)
Josh Conerly Jr. is the start of the next tier of players here on the offensive line, but he projects to be a solid starter at the next level. The Chiefs desperately need help at this position and Conerly gives them a nice, secure chance at revamping this spot.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri)
Original guess: Jack Sawyer (EDGE, Ohio State)
The run of drafting high-upside athletes continues for the Eagles, as they take Burden with the final pick of Round One. He needs work, that’s for sure, but he provides this team with a solid option should injuries hit their wide receiver room. Burden can also potentially be developed as the replacement for A.J. Brown in the future.
Honorable Mention First-Round Talents:
- Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall)
- Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green)
- Tyleik Williams (DL, Ohio State)
- Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
- Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
- Derrick Harmon (DL, Oregon)
- Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
Thanks for reading my 2025 First-Round NFL Mock Draft 2.0! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter/X @Parry_FF for more sports & entertainment content, and check out our entertainment betting show, “Popcorn & Root Beer,” on our YouTube channel!
*Photo Credit: Maria Lysaker – USA TODAY Sports*
