2025 NFL mock draft: April draft projections for first and second rounds

The early days of NFL free agency are over, and several teams have had to alter their draft outlook after addressing key needs. Some teams who appeared nearly certain to address specific positions can now consider other options, which means it’s time for another 2025 NFL mock draft.

Now that all 32 NFL fan bases are more interested in which players can help them in the 2025 NFL Draft, we project who each team will select with their first-round draft pick on April 24.

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

In need of a franchise quarterback, the Tennessee Titans zeroed in on Cam Ward long ago. He offers the most boom or bust potential of possibly any prospect in this draft class. If he’s a hit, he could bring Jayden Daniels-like game-changing ability to Tennessee.

2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Cleveland Browns won’t be kicking the season off with Kenny Pickett as their starting quarterback. Shedeur Sanders may be getting drafted a tick high here, but that’s the cost of acquiring a potential franchise quarterback before someone else beats you to the punch. Of course, the Browns learned that lesson the hard way by trading for Deshaun Watson.

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

By solving their short-term quarterback needs in free agency, the New York Giants can feel great about securing the vest overall player in the draft. Travis Hunter solves two urgent needs, becoming a high-end WR2 and potential CB1/CB2. He’d even be worth trading up for.

4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

The New England Patriots solved some of their biggest needs in free agency, which allows them the chance to select the best player available. If they’re in love with an offensive tackle like Will Campbell, then he should be the pick. Yet, we’re taking Carter here because we believe he can be an annual double-digit sack threat who becomes one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL instead of simply a Pro Bowl starting lineman.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a bit hard to read. Sure, there are other needs, but Mason Graham is the best player available and he could help transform the front seven in Duval from a good group to one of the NFL’s best.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Getting a franchise quarterback and one of the oldest head coaches in the NFL places the Las Vegas Raiders in win now mode. Who better to help win more games in 2025 than by adding Ashton Jeanty, who many regard as one of the five best players in the draft?

7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The New York Jets have other needs, like reinforcing the offensive line, getting another receiver or filling out the defense. Yet, with Justin Fields added into the mix, we want to see another easy target for the quarterback who’s better with his legs than his arm at this point.

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

This is a slot where the Carolina Panthers could go in a number of different directions, but Jalon Walker fits that theme to a ‘T.’ A versatile defender who can line up as an edge rusher or at linebacker, Walker will find what suits him best at the next level, but the Panthers need help in multiple areas.

9. New Orleans Saints: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The New Orleans Saints have lost two starting cornerbacks in less than a year, by trading Marshon Lattimore and letting Paulson Adebo leave in free agency. Now it’s time for reinforcements, and Will Johnson is a great place to start. Johnson brings physicality and plus ball skills to the secondary, both traits his new coaches will love.

10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OL, LSU

Yes, the Chicago Bears already addressed their offensive line but are we sure Braxton Jones is a franchise left tackle? There’s no guarantee Will Campbell is either, but he’ll raise the level of competition in the Windy City trenches, which is good considering Joe Thuney is entering the final year of his contract.

11. San Francisco 49ers: James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee

Reinforcing the defensive trenches should be a priority for the San Francisco 49ers after seeing Javon Kinlaw and Javon Hargrave leave in free agency. Plus, Nick Bosa deserves to have a better pass-rush partner to help free up more 1-on-1 opportunities. James Pearce’s explosive athleticism will give blockers too much to handle.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Most would expect Tetairoa McMillan to be the first receiver not named Travis Hunter off the draft board, yet our mock projects the Dallas Cowboys to be far too enamored with selecting the fastest receiver in the draft instead. Matthew Golden’s electric speed will make him a consistent threat in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense.

13. Miami Dolphins: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Terron Armstead could be thinking of retirement, and it’s not like Austin Jackson has shown signs of being an elite talent on the right side either. It’s time to get serious about protecting Tua Tagovailoa and Armand Membou may be the best pure tackle prospect in the class.

14. Indianapolis Colts: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Tyler Warren would have been a dream here. Yet, reinforcing the defense is a good move too. Jihaad Campbell has some edge-rushing ability to him, but the Indianapolis Colts may employ him most in the middle of their defense, where he can use his sideline-to-sideline speed to make plays.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

A year later, the Atlanta Falcons finally get their first-round pass-rusher everyone expected them to select last year. However, Mike Green is well worth the wait. He may hail from a smaller school, yet there’s no denying his sack production after leading the nation in 2024. He should be able to make an instant impact in Atlanta.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon gets a much-needed piece for his defense. Jahdae Barron can be the Cardinals’ CB1, but he’s the type of athlete who can play multiple spots in the secondary, and after running the fastest 40-yard dash among cornerbacks at the NFL Combine, who’s to say Barron can’t be successful in the pros too?

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The Cincinnati Bengals have somehow been able to afford keeping Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason, but they can’t afford to ignore a defense that ranked 25th in points allowed. Malaki Starks has shown elite potential, possibly even projecting as a better version of Jessie Bates thanks to his knack for finding the football.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas

Now that the Seattle Seahawks have a new franchise quarterback, they have to find a way to put him in a position to succeed. As it stands right now, the Seahawks don’t have a strong offensive line, but adding a new tackle/guard like Kelvin Banks will undoubtedly help.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Shemar Stewart proved his athleticism, then decided not to do any positional drills at the NFL Combine or the Texas A&M pro day. That move irked NFL evaluators, which may cause him to slip a bit. But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers benefit here from potentially getting one of the best pass-rushers in the draft class.

20. Denver Broncos: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Tetairoa McMillan is viewed as one of the best receiver prospects in the draft class, but it didn’t help when the 6-foot-4, 219-pound receiver clocked a slow-ish 40-yard dash time between 4.54 and 4.57 seconds. While the Denver Broncos already have one big receiver in Courtland Sutton, getting Bo Nix another huge red zone target can’t hurt.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mykel Williams, DL/EDGE, Georgia

Keeanu Benton and Cameron Heyward make up 2/3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ defensive line. Getting Mykel Williams to fill out the other starting slot while learning from Heyward feels like the perfect move to help the Steelers’ defense remain a threat for years to come.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Jim Harbaugh just can’t turn down the chance to add another one of his former Michigan Wolverines players to the roster in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Chargers‘ defense was already elite, but adding a player like Kenneth Grant can help make sure they stay that way for years to come.

23. Green Bay Packers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

The Green Bay Packers have been trying to find an elite pass-rusher since moving on from Za’Darius Smith, but it hasn’t worked to their advantage. This time, they take another swing on an athletic edge rusher in the first round, but this time they hope he can make an immediate impact.

24. *Kansas City Chiefs (trade with Minnesota Vikings): Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

TRADE: Minnesota Vikings trade 24th pick to Chiefs for 31st pick, 95, and 226

The Kansas City Chiefs may not have as much of an urgent need to draft a new offensive tackle after signing Jaylon Moore in free agency, but we can’t act like Jawaan Taylor was perfect at right tackle either. Plus, Josh Simmons may need some time to get back up to full speed after being injured for much of the season.

25. Houston Texans: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Trading Laremy Tunsil opens up a significant hole at left tackle. While it’s been temporarily filled by Cam Robinson, he’s not a long-term solution. Grey Zabel doesn’t even have to play left tackle right away to make an impact. He can play all five spots on the line, meaning he’ll likely work his way into the lineup right away.

26. Los Angeles Rams: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The Los Angeles Rams could use an upgrade over Tyler Higbee. Colston Loveland isn’t just an upgrade, he can be a featured weapon alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Despite being 6-foot-6, Loveland isn’t a stiff athlete, he can run any route on the tree.

Related: Los Angeles Rams Rumors, News

27. Baltimore Ravens: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

We’re curious to see what the Baltimore Ravens defense can look like with two freakish safety talents. Nick Emmanwori would certainly deliver on that promise. As a 6-foot-3 safety who stuck out during combine drills, Emmanwori is one of the most intriguing prospects in the class.

28. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

Can the Detroit Lions find an effective pass-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson? They do here, getting lucky with a strong edge rusher in Nic Scourton. Somehow, Scourton always seems to be by the ball, which will make him a fan favorite in Detroit.

29. Washington Commanders: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

The Washington Commanders have two running backs they rely on, but neither are elite options. Omarion Hampton isn’t the fastest prospect in the class, but he has shown he can handle a heavy workload while still being a capable pass-catcher too.

30. Buffalo Bills: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Luther Burden is regarded as a complete receiver who could have WR1 potential, especially with the Buffalo Bills. He has the elusiveness that can help take short passes for long gains, and his reliable hands will quickly make him one of Josh Allen’s best friends.

31. *Minnesota Vikings (trade with Chiefs): Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

TRADE: Chiefs trade 31st pick, 95, and 226 to Vikings for 24th pick

With just four selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings are strong bets to trade down. Here, they get two more draft selections while still filling a long-term need at cornerback. Maxwell Hairston showed his blistering speed with a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and Brian Flores will try molding him into his new CB1.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Conerly Jr., OL, Oregon

Lane Johnson turns 35 in May and the Philadelphia Eagles are seemingly always one step ahead when it comes to drafting long-term needs. Josh Conerly has shown good fee and impressive athleticism, which makes many believe he can be a high-end starting tackle in the NFL.

2025 NFL Draft mock: Round 2 projections

Cleveland Browns: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Tennessee Titans: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
Jacksonville Jaguars: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Las Vegas Raiders: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
New England Patriots: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
Chicago Bears: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
New Orleans Saints: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
Chicago Bears: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
New York Jets: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
San Francisco 49ers: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Dallas Cowboys: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Atlanta Falcons: Joshua Farmer, DL, Florida State
Arizona Cardinals: Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
Miami Dolphins: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Cincinnati Bengals: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
Seattle Seahawks: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Denver Broncos: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Seattle Seahawks: Demetrius Knight Jr, LB, South Carolina
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Green Bay Packers: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Los Angeles Chargers: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (FL)
Buffalo Bills: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Carolina Panthers: Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami (FL)
Houston Texans: T.J. Sanders, DL, South Carolina
Baltimore Ravens: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Detroit Lions: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Washington Commanders: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Buffalo Bills: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
Kansas City Chiefs: Omarr Norman-Lott, DL, Tennessee
Philadelphia Eagles: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame