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Jalen Milroe | 2025 NFL Mock Draft With Trades: First-Round Picks & Predictions

Steve Lawson’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: First-Round Picks & Predictions

by Steve Lawson

I know, I know, it’s early. But, realistically, we should be looking ahead for some of these NFL teams, and frankly, they aren’t sitting around waiting until February to start planning. Teams are over-performing, under-performing or flat-out suck. That’s where I come in. Here is my 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0!

(Draft order courtesy of CBS’s projected Draft Order)

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2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: First-Round Picks & Predictions

1. Carolina Panthers: Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)

The Carolina Panthers secure their future under center with Quinn Ewers, a quarterback with elite arm talent and the ability to make off-platform throws. Ewers’ poise and accuracy, especially on deep passes, make him a potential cornerstone for Carolina’s rebuild, giving them a QB who can immediately compete at a high level in the NFL.

2. Tennessee Titans (via Patriots): Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)

Tennessee trades up with New England for the electrifying Jalen Milroe, a dynamic dual-threat quarterback with game-breaking speed and impressive arm strength. Milroe’s athleticism will give the Titans a versatile option who can evade pressure and make plays with both his legs and arm. With development, he could transform their offense into a multifaceted attack.

Trade Package:

Tennessee Titans:

  • 2025 First-Round Pick (1.02)

New England Patriots:

  • 2025 First-Round Pick (1.04)
  • 2025 Second-Round Pick (2.04)

3. New York Giants: Cameron Ward (QB, Miami)

The Giants land Cameron Ward, a mobile quarterback who excels at improvisation and making big plays out of nothing. Ward is known for his accuracy on the run and his ability to push the ball downfield. With his creativity and playmaking skills, he brings a new dimension to New York’s offense, providing a spark they’ve been searching for.

4. New England Patriots (via Titans): Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)

Travis Hunter is the ultimate two-way player in the 2025 NFL Draft, excelling as both a wide receiver and cornerback. The Patriots will love his versatility, athleticism and football IQ. Whether he’s locking down receivers or making acrobatic catches, Hunter gives head coach Jerod Mayo a rare chess piece who can contribute on both sides of the ball.

5. Cleveland Browns: Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)

Cleveland addresses its secondary with Benjamin Morrison, a long, physical corner who thrives in man coverage. Despite suffering a season-ending hip injury, Morrison is the best cornerback in this class. He is a ball hawk with excellent instincts, and his ability to shadow top receivers will make him a valuable asset in the AFC North, where facing elite receivers is a weekly challenge.

6. Denver Broncos: Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)

Luther Burden is a dynamic wide receiver who brings elite speed and shiftiness to the Broncos’ offense. A threat to score from anywhere on the field, Burden is known for his Yards After Catch (YAC) ability and precise route-running. He’ll give Denver a legitimate playmaker to complement their passing attack.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)

Jacksonville shores up its secondary with Will Johnson, a tall, athletic cornerback with excellent ball skills. Johnson excels in press coverage, and his combination of speed and physicality will allow him to match up with the AFC’s elite wide receivers. He has the potential to develop into a lockdown defender.

8. Los Angeles Rams: Emery Jones Jr. (OT, LSU)

The Los Angeles Rams add a foundational piece to their offensive line with Emery Jones Jr., a powerful and athletic tackle. Jones Jr. has great footwork and excels in both pass protection and run blocking, making him an ideal fit for the Rams’ scheme. His versatility allows him to play either tackle position, giving the Rams flexibility.

9. Las Vegas Raiders: Carson Beck (QB, Georgia)

Las Vegas takes Carson Beck, a polished quarterback with prototypical size and a strong arm. Beck is known for his accuracy and pocket presence, making him a solid fit for the Raiders’ offensive scheme. With his ability to read defenses and make quick decisions, Beck could be groomed into the long-term answer at quarterback.

10. Arizona Cardinals: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)

The Cardinals grab Tetairoa McMillan, a big-bodied receiver with an elite catch radius and strong hands. McMillan is a deep threat who excels in contested catch situations, giving Arizona another reliable target to pair with Kyler Murray. His combination of size and speed will make him a matchup nightmare for defenders who also have to worry about Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride.

11. Miami Dolphins: Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)

Miami bolsters its defensive front with Mason Graham, a disruptive interior lineman who is elite at stopping the run and collapsing the pocket. Graham’s quick first step and strength at the point of attack will help anchor the Dolphins’ defense, adding much-needed depth to their defensive line rotation.

12. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT, Texas)

The Bears secure a cornerstone left tackle in Kelvin Banks Jr., an agile and powerful blocker who excels in both pass protection and run blocking. Banks’ technique and footwork make him a reliable protector for Caleb Williams, and his athleticism allows him to handle even the quickest edge rushers.

13. Indianapolis Colts: Abdul Carter (DE, Penn State)

Indianapolis adds a disruptive force off the edge in Abdul Carter, a dynamic pass rusher with excellent speed and bend. Carter’s explosiveness and relentless motor make him a constant threat to get into the backfield, and his versatility allows him to stand up or play with his hand in the dirt.

14. Los Angeles Chargers: Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)

Mykel Williams gives the Chargers a dominant edge rusher with a rare combination of power and agility. Known for his quick burst off the line, Williams has the ability to overpower offensive tackles and consistently generate pressure, which will complement Joey Bosa on the Chargers’ defensive front.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nic Scourton (DE, Texas A&M)

Nic Scourton brings speed and ferocity off the edge, making him a perfect fit for Tampa Bay’s aggressive defense. His athleticism and pursuit make him a dangerous pass rusher, but the Texas A&M product is also solid against the run, giving the Buccaneers a well-rounded defensive weapon.

16. Washington Commanders: Isaiah Bond (WR, Texas)

Washington boosts its receiving corps with Isaiah Bond, a speedy wideout who thrives in creating separation downfield. Bond’s explosive acceleration and precise route-running make him a reliable target, capable of stretching defenses and creating big-play opportunities for the Commanders’ offense.

17. Seattle Seahawks: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)

Seattle adds a versatile playmaker in Malaki Starks, a safety who can cover sideline-to-sideline and excel in both man and zone coverage. Starks’ instincts and physicality make him an ideal fit for the Seahawks’ secondary, where he’ll be able to play in multiple roles, from center fielder to a box safety.

18. New Orleans Saints: James Pearce Jr. (DE, Tennessee)

New Orleans strengthens its defensive line with James Pearce Jr., an edge rusher with excellent hand usage and a high motor. Pearce’s ability to win one-on-one battles with speed and power makes him a nightmare for offensive tackles, and he’s equally effective against the run.

19. Atlanta Falcons: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)

Atlanta selects Shavon Revel, a tall and physical cornerback with the ability to jam receivers at the line and disrupt timing routes. Revel has fluid hips and excellent recovery speed, making him a strong man-to-man defender who can take away opposing teams’ top wideouts.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)

The Steelers add a powerful interior force in Tyleik Williams, a defensive tackle known for his ability to clog running lanes and collapse the pocket. Williams’ strength at the point of attack will give the Pittsburgh defense an anchor in the middle once Cameron Heyward retires, freeing up their edges to make plays.

21. Dallas Cowboys: Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State)

Dallas adds a workhorse in Quinshon Judkins, a tough, downhill runner with great vision and balance. Judkins excels at finding creases in the defense and consistently falling forward for extra yards, making him an ideal fit for the Cowboys’ offense that lacks explosiveness in the backfield.

22. Cincinnati Bengals: Will Campbell (OT, LSU)

Cincinnati invests in their offensive line with Will Campbell, a nimble tackle who excels in pass protection. Campbell’s quick feet and strong hands make him a perfect fit to protect Joe Burrow’s blind side as the Bengals look to shore up their offensive line.

23. New York Jets: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)

The Jets bolster their offense with Colston Loveland, a big, athletic tight end who can stretch the field and dominate in the red zone. Loveland’s ability to make contested catches and block in the run game makes him a valuable dual-threat weapon for New York, adding to Aaron Rodgers‘ arsenal.

24. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State)

Green Bay shores up its secondary with Denzel Burke, a physical corner with excellent ball skills and closing speed. Burke’s ability to mirror receivers and play tight man coverage makes him an ideal fit for a defense looking to shut down the NFC North’s top pass catchers.

25. Minnesota Vikings: Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)

The Vikings add a massive run-stuffer in Kenneth Grant, a defensive tackle who uses his size and power to eat up blocks and stop running backs in their tracks. Grant’s presence in the middle will help solidify the Minnesota run defense, giving them a reliable anchor on the interior.

26. Houston Texans: Harold Perkins Jr. (LB, LSU)

Houston lands an athletic freak in Harold Perkins Jr., a linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range and elite playmaking ability. Perkins excels at diagnosing plays and flying to the ball, making him a force against both the run and the pass.

27. Philadelphia Eagles: Princely Umanmielen (DE, Ole Miss)

Philadelphia adds Princely Umanmielen, a versatile pass rusher with excellent bend and quickness off the edge. Umanmielen’s ability to win with speed and finesse will fit perfectly in the Eagles’ aggressive defensive scheme as they continue to build their pass-rushing depth.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Booker (iOL – Alabama)

Baltimore strengthens its offensive line with Tyler Booker, a mauler at guard who excels in both pass protection and run blocking. Booker’s strength and technique will make him an immediate contributor to the Ravens’ interior, helping pave the way for their physical ground attack.

29. Detroit Lions: Evan Stewart (WR, Oregon)

Detroit gets a dynamic playmaker in Evan Stewart, a wide receiver with blazing speed and exceptional route-running. Stewart’s ability to create separation and make big plays downfield will make him a key weapon for the Lions’ already-lethal aerial attack.

30. Buffalo Bills: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)

Buffalo adds another elite weapon to its passing game with Emeka Egbuka, a receiver known for his route-running and after-the-catch ability. Egbuka can line up both outside and in the slot, giving Josh Allen a versatile target capable of making big plays all over the field.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Tacario Davis (CB, Arizona)

San Francisco strengthens its secondary with Tacario Davis, a tall, rangy corner with excellent ball skills. Davis’ length and athleticism allow him to match up with bigger receivers, while his instincts make him a threat to create turnovers in coverage.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Walker (DE, Georgia)

The Chiefs round out the first round by adding Jalen Walker, a fast and explosive edge rusher who can get after the quarterback with speed and technique. Walker’s relentless motor and ability to win with leverage make him a valuable addition to Kansas City’s pass rush rotation.


Thanks for reading my “2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: First-Round Picks & Predictions.” For more entertainment and sports takes, find me on Twitter, @Steve_Lawson93.

*Photo Credit: Steve Roberts – USA TODAY Sports*

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