Jack Pine's 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Published: Wednesday, February 26, 2025

by Jack Pine

With the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine starting this week, let's take a look at how the NFL Draft could shake out as things stand right now!

1. Titans select Travis Hunter – WR/DB (Colorado)

Titans team president Chad Brinker said in January that they wouldn’t pass up a generational talent. They keep their word here, taking the most versatile prospect in years. Coach Brian Callahan said this week that Hunter will likely start on defense and play sparingly on offense at first.

2. Browns select Abdul Carter – ED (Penn State)

With Myles Garrett likely on his way out, Cleveland doesn’t have to wait long to find his replacement. The Browns are expected to receive an abundance of picks in the trade, but given how the situation has unfolded, it will likely happen later in the offseason.

Note: Andrew Berry spoke to the media on Tuesday and reaffirmed his position on Myles Garrett's trade request, saying his stance "really has not changed" and the team does not plan on trading him.

 

3. Giants select Shedeur Sanders – QB (Colorado)

Coach Prime gets his wish for a big market as the Giants select their quarterback of the future. Sanders will be a project at the next level, but he will have time to develop along with his team as New York’s long, winding rebuild continues.

4. Panthers select Mason Graham – DT (Michigan)

Via trade with the Patriots: Here’s where things get interesting. After a rough year defending against the run, Carolina trades up after falling in love with the most talented interior lineman in the draft. Graham is scheme-diverse and has the potential to be a game-wrecker right away.

5. Jets select Cam Ward – QB (Miami) 

Via trade with the Jaguars: Not wanting to miss out on a high-end quarterback, the Jets offer Jacksonville a deal, which the Jaguars quickly accept after losing out on Mason Graham. Ward struggled with decision-making last year with Miami, so being paired with a rookie offensive coordinator should be … interesting.

6. Raiders select Ashton Jeanty – RB (Boise State)

Say what you want about taking a running back in the top 10 or even the first round, but the Raiders are fine with this pick. Sure, they miss out on a quarterback, but they still get an explosive back who can revitalize the offense for whoever is under center in 2025.

7. Jaguars select Will Johnson – CB (Michigan)

Via trade with the Jets: The Jaguars pivot after missing out on Mason Graham, instead focusing on their secondary, which allowed the most passing yards in the league last season. New general manager James Gladstone hits a home run in his first draft, filling a need with a star player and gaining an extra pick in the process.

8. Patriots select Will Campbell – OT (LSU)

Via trade with the Panthers: After trading down with Carolina, the Patriots are delighted to still see Will Campbell on the board. Mike Vrabel has emphasized his stance on wanting to protect Drake Maye, and he gets the player he likely would have taken at No. 4 anyway.

9. Saints select Jahdae Barron – DB (Texas)

New Orleans needs help in the secondary after losing Marshon Lattimore last year and with Tyrann Mathieu aging. Barron is incredibly versatile, capable of playing outside, in the slot, or as a dime linebacker. His elite tackling and ball skills likely project him as a strong safety at the pro level.

10. Bears select Kelvin Banks – OT (Texas)

The Bears need to protect Caleb Williams. Banks can play tackle or move inside, giving Ben Johnson more options to get him acclimated this season.

11. 49ers select Jalon Walker – ED (Georgia)

San Francisco would have loved to take Will Johnson with this pick, but they will certainly be satisfied with this selection. A total-package athlete, Walker is best used as a pass rusher but is also highly effective off the ball and as a quarterback spy. Pairing Walker with Nick Bosa should concern any opponent.

12. Cowboys select Walter Nolen – DT (Ole Miss)

I would project Dallas to trade this pick and others for Myles Garrett, but they need to free up cap space first. In this scenario, Dallas stays put and selects the interior lineman accustomed to rushing the passer.

13. Dolphins select Tyler Booker – OG (Alabama)

Booker is one of the most consistent linemen in the draft and boasts a high football IQ. His success in the run game will ultimately sway Miami, as its unit often struggled to open holes for its backs last season.

14. Colts select Tyler Warren – TE (Penn State)

A surprising fall comes to an end here as this year’s version of Brock Bowers is finally selected. Warren's size helps him make contested catches, but his lack of separation on routes contributed to his slide.

15. Falcons select Mike Green – ED (Marshall)

The Falcons have long ignored this position of need in past drafts, but Atlanta won’t pass up an explosive talent like Green. His long arms aid his pass-rush moves, making him a potential game-changer at the next level.

16. Cardinals select Kenneth Grant – DT (Michigan)

Grant isn’t polished as a pass rusher but has plenty of potential. He is an instinctive tackler and excels against the run, which could help Arizona become one of the league’s top rush defenses.

17. Bengals select Tetairoa McMillan – WR (Arizona)

This seems like a no-brainer, given the situation with Tee Higgins. After Ja’Marr Chase, there is a significant drop-off in receiving talent on the Bengals' roster if Higgins leaves. McMillan should complement Chase well with a No. 2 receiver skill set.

18. Seahawks select Armand Membou – OT (Missouri)

Seattle needs a versatile player to stabilize its offensive line, and Membou fits the mold. He is smooth in pass protection and aggressive in the run game. While he could excel as a tackle in the pros, he has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler at guard.

19. Buccaneers select James Pearce Jr. – ED (Tennessee)

Tampa Bay gets a much-needed upgrade to its pass-rushing unit. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has been underwhelming, and Shaq Barrett continues to age. The addition of Pearce brings extra speed, explosiveness and athleticism off the edge.

20. Broncos select Colston Loveland – TE (Michigan)

Loveland likely should have been drafted earlier based on talent alone, but he should see plenty of targets with Bo Nix in his second year. Loveland will add versatility to the offense and aid Nix’s development.

21. Steelers select Grey Zabel – OT (North Dakota State)

Zabel started at left tackle last season for the Tigers but has shown the ability to play four of the five spots on the line. Pittsburgh will likely use his skill set as a guard, as they appear to have their long-term starters in Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu.

22. Chargers select Omarion Hampton – RB (North Carolina)

With JK Dobbins set to hit free agency, LA chooses to go with an athletic back who is very dangerous in the open field. Hampton’s large frame and immense athleticism will probably be an upgrade from Dobbins, talentwise.

23. Packers select Emeka Egbuka – WR (Ohio State)

The Packers finally select a receiver in the first round! Jordan Love is ecstatic, as he now has a big-name target to pair with Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks. None of them reached 1,000 yards last season, though, making one or more potentially expendable after this pick.

24. Vikings select Derrick Harmon – DT (Oregon)

Minnesota could opt for a running back instead, but I can’t justify a third running back going in the first round. This is a deep class, so they should be able to grab one later. Harmon will help a defense that was strong against the run but needed overall improvement in tackling. His upside as a pass rusher is also a valuable upgrade for the unit.

25. Texans select Matthew Golden – WR (Texas)

Stefon Diggs appears destined for free agency, so the Houston native will go home to fill a need on offense. Golden may not have the tools to be a WR1 at the pro level, but he is a polished route runner and tough to bring down after the catch.

26. Rams select Jihaad Campbell – LB (Alabama)

Los Angeles struggled with tackling last season, especially at the second level. Campbell’s selection adds elite talent and athleticism to the position. He was recruited to Tuscaloosa as an edge rusher but has the ability to play off the ball. He can play sideline to sideline and shed blocks at an exceptional rate.

27. Ravens select Josh Simmons – OT (Ohio State)

Ronnie Stanley is set to enter free agency—enough said. In all seriousness, though, Simmons could go much higher, but due to his injury history, he nearly falls out of the first round. Simmons is fluid in pass protection and an agile run blocker, which should translate well to Baltimore’s offense.

28. Lions select Mykel Williams – ED (Georgia)

Pairing Williams with Aidan Hutchinson will be dominant. Williams’ long arms enhance his pass rush moves, making him a potential game-changer at the next level. Additionally, Josh Paschal is in the final year of his contract and didn’t produce like a starting defensive end last season.

29. Commanders select Luther Burden III – WR (Missouri)

Olamide Zaccheaus and Noah Brown were relatively productive last season, but the duo combined for fewer than 1,000 total yards. Burden will work out of the slot for Washington, helping open up the offense. Getting Jayden Daniels a true No. 2 wide receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin will elevate the offense and help prevent a sophomore slump.

30. Bills select Malaki Starks – DB (Georgia)

Taylor Rapp’s contract is up, and Damar Hamlin has one year remaining. Neither performed especially well last season. Starks is strong in coverage, splitting time as a nickelback and safety with the Bulldogs. His stock dropped last season, but he still has the potential to be a strong safety for the Bills.

31. Chiefs select Josh Conerly – OT (Oregon)

Conerly isn’t the best athlete and needs to improve at finishing blocks in the run game, but he has quick feet in pass protection. Starting Conerly at left tackle immediately would fill a significant need and address many of the issues Kansas City's line had last season.

32. Eagles select Shemar Stewart – ED (Texas A&M)

Josh Sweat will likely leave in free agency, setting the table for Stewart in Philadelphia. The knock on Stewart, though, is his ability to finish plays. He’s athletic and generates plenty of pressure but struggles to get home. Still, he can give opposing tackles a hard time and set the edge in the run game, which is why he sneaks into the first round.

Jack Pine is an Assistant Sports Director/Sports Web Editor at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at john.pine@student.shu.edu.

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