The non-playoff portion of the 2024 NFL season is over, which means it’s time for another 2025 NFL mock draft. Barring trades, the top 18 draft slots are locked in. The rest aren’t focused on draft picks and are instead hoping to end up selecting 32nd because that would deliver a Super Bowl Trophy.
However, for the teams whose performance embodied a full-blown rebuild, their fanbases are more interested in which players can help them in the 2025 NFL Draft. Below, we project who each team will select with their first-round draft pick on April 24.
To do so, we used the 2025 NFL Draft order to determine the first-round draft order. Picks are alternated between Andrew Buller-Russ and Matt Johnson, who put on their NFL GM hats for an afternoon of draft analysis.
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1. New York Giants*: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
- TRADE: New York Giants trade 3rd, 34th overall picks and 2026 1st to Tennessee Titans for the 1st overall pick
The choice comes at a cost and for the New York Giants, moving up to pick which quarterback they want costs a future first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick. This is going to be a quarterback, with Miami’s Cam Ward increasingly looking like the consensus No. 1 passer in the 2025 NFL Draft. With excellent arm strength and athleticism, there’s a chance for Ward to become a Pro Bowl QB.
Related: Insider provides update on Tennessee Titans’ potential draft plans with No. 1 pick
2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Yes, the Cleveland Browns still have Deshaun Watson, but he hasn’t played well since being traded by the Houston Texans. Plus, he just recently tore his Achilles again, which means he may not be ready for the start of the 2025 season, if at all. Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders is a brilliant processor who also displays above-average pocket awareness. The Browns have to upgrade at the QB position this offseason, and Sanders offers the highest ceiling.
Related: Top NFL analyst floats Cleveland Browns trading for 2024 first-round QB
3. Tennessee Titans*: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
- TRADE: Tennessee Titans receive 3rd and 34th overall picks plus 2026 1st from NY Giants
This might come as a surprise in our 2025 NFL mock draft, but the recently hired general manager Mike Borgonzi gets to be patient. A five-year contract means not rushing into using a top pick on a quarterback. Instead, Tennessee follows the Los Angeles Chargers’ model from last year. Pairing Will Campbell with J.C. Latham shores up both sides of the Titans offensive line, creating an environment built for success for the next franchise quarterback.
Related: New York Giants’ draft plans expected to focus on two specific areas
4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Even though his best position may be as a cornerback, it’s hard to envision any scenario where Travis Hunter falls outside of the top five picks this year. He’s arguably the best prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class, capable of helping any team he joins on offense and on defense. In New England, he’d likely immediately become Drake Maye’s top weapon while slotting opposite Christian Gonzalez on defense.
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5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
With left tackle Walker Little locked into a multi-year deal, the Jacksonville Jaguars pivot to the other side of the trenches in the 2025 NFL Draft. Mason Graham, a two-time All-American at Michigan, was one of the best defensive players in college football over the last two years. Putting him on the interior with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen at the edges, can quickly turn this Jaguars defense around in a hurry and it will help lead to sustained success.
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6. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
If the Raiders didn’t have Brock Bowers, they’d probably select a receiver like Tetairoa McMillan here. Yet, as bad as the Raiders are on offense, they’re equally as bad on defense. Will Johnson would make life easier on Maxx Crosby and company, preventing receivers from running wide open and he could even steal a few extra possessions too.
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7. New York Jets: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
With D.J. Reed Jr. likely departing in NFL free agency and the New York Jets presumably not finding another high-end No. 2 corner on the open market, their top pick should be devoted to the defense. Georgia’s Malaki Starks offers the athleticism, football IQ, ball skills and all-around ability you find in a perennial Pro Bowl safety. It might take him two seasons to reach his potential, but he could be an excellent addition to the Jets’ secondary.
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8. Carolina Panthers: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Abdul Carter has the potential to be the best edge rusher in the 2025 draft class. Carter has so much athleticism that he previously played linebacker at Penn State, yet he made the switch to edge rusher, and he flourished this season. Possessing an impressive amount of burst, Carter has superstar potential written all over him.
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9. New Orleans Saints: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Father Time is partially responsible for the decline of this New Orleans Saints defense. It also doesn’t help that the front office has seemingly whiffed on a lot of recent picks – Bryan Bresee, Trevor Penning, Payton Turner – which puts this unit in an even worse position moving forward.Nic Scourton, who has drawn some NFL comparisons to Cameron Jordan, could be the first step toward overhauling this declining defense.
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10. Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
There were times when D’Andre Swift looked like a potential star running back for the Chicago Bears, but he only averaged 46 YPG over the season’s final seven games. Injecting Ashton Jeanty into this offense would give Caleb Williams a much better chance of moving the chains consistently. Yet, he could also almost single-handedly make this a top-ten offense.
Related: NFL rumors: 2 top finalists emerge in Chicago Bears coaching search
11. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The San Francisco 49ers struck gold last year with guard Dominick Puni, but he and Trent Williams are the only dependable starters on this offensive line. Ohio State’s Josh Simmons could immediately come in and take over at right tackle, filling a problem area for the team in the last two years. If he develops, Simmons could even become Williams’ successor on the left side.
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12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Dallas Cowboys need to fix their defense, but they also need an injection of skill-position players on offense. Tetairoa McMillan is arguably the best pure receiver prospect in the draft class. The 6-foot-5 receiver gives Dak Prescott another huge red zone target, and his strength can help make him a weapon after the catch too.
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13. Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas
Terron Armstread is entering his age-34 season and is no sure bet to return in 2025. Even if he does, he’s missed multiple games every year of his career. The Miami Dolphins need a new franchise left tackle in Longhorns’ tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is already very good in pass protection, who can continue to improve as a run blocker.
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14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Indianapolis Colts have tried just about everything to find a long-term tight end solution. Tyler Warren is the answer they’ve been looking for. The 6-foot-6 Penn State product provides a large target for Anthony Richardson to become comfortable with, and he can turn short gains into big chunks of yardage.
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15. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Atlanta Falcons need an edge rusher. Mykel Williams, a Georgia native, wasn’t especially productive with the Georgia Bulldogs, but his traits are enticing. Strength, athleticism length and size are the building blocks of an excellent pass rusher. He’s more ceiling than polishing right now, but Atlanta needs to take a chance.
Related: Cleveland Browns expected to consider Kirk Cousins this offseason
16. Arizona Cardinals: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
After finding their superstar receiver, now it’s time to get Jonathan Gannon’s defense a tool he can work with. Benjamin Morrison is the type of physical cornerback that every coordinator would love to build their defense around. Boasting plus ball skills and the ability to play in the slot or outside, Morrison can be an immediate starter in Arizona.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Luther Burden II, WR, Missouri
Re-signing Tee Higgins means committing more than $110 million per season to Higgins, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. For a team that already doesn’t draft-and-develop particularly well and has problems on defense and the offensive line, that’s just not doable. Instead, Cincinnati lets Higgins go to the highest bidder and replaces him with Luther Burden II. Burrow gets a 1B wide receiver and the Bengals can use their cap space on the defensive side of the ball.
Related: NFL insider predicts Cincinnati Bengals’ future with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins
18. Seattle Seahawks: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Realizing they had a weakness at linebacker, the Seattle Seahawks added Ernest Jones during the season, but he wasn’t the long-term solution they had in mind. Jalon Walker is a versatile player who can help along the edge, in coverage, or as a run defender in Seattle.
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19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could go cornerback or edge rusher with their top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, in this case, it’s Jack Sawyer. He’s been dominant in the College Football Playoff, likely cementing his status as a first-round pick. Put him on a defensive line with Vita Vea, Yaya Diaby and Calijah Kancey, suddenly life becomes a lot easier for the Buccaneers’ secondary.
20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Bo Nix showed he is the QB of the Denver Broncos’ future. Now, it’s time to surround him with talent who can help the Broncos get past the first round of the playoffs. Colston Loveland gives Nix a target with a huge catch radius, but he can also help pick up extra chunks of yardage thanks to his burst and strength.
Related: 2025 NFL QB Rankings
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Pittsburgh Steelers need playmakers. It would be even better if those playmakers were level-headed and didn’t lose control of their emotions every other quarter. Matthew Golden would give Pittsburgh’s offense the explosive separator it needs, someone who can get away from man coverage quickly or make plays downfield. With some Brandon Aiyuk-lite comparisons, Matthew Golden could become a nice complement to George Pickens on the field.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Jim Harbaugh loves his former Michigan Wolverines, and now he gets to add another to the pack with Kenneth Grant. The Los Angeles Chargers may have had the NFL’s best rush defense last season, but they allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per attempt. That’s where the 6-foot-3, 340-pound defender can help plug gaps and get stops behind the line of scrimmage.
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23. Green Bay Packers: James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
The Green Bay Packers’ pass rush was the team’s biggest problem on defense in 2024. For as great of a defensive coordinator as Jeff Hafley proved to be, he didn’t have much to work with on the defensive line. NFL free agency could address the interior or secondary, but the 2025 NFL Draft can be the source of pass-rushing help. James Pearce Jr. has top-10 traits, it’s just all about those tools being put together to become a Pro Bowl edge rusher.
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24. Minnesota Vikings: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
There are several areas the Minnesota Vikings could address here, but they shore up one of their biggest weaknesses with defensive tackle Walter Nolen. A former No. 1 recruit in the entire country, Nolen didn’t quite live up to his full potential at Texas A&M and Ole Miss, but he clearly has the potential to be a disruptor for years to come. If he can continue generating pressure at the next level, the Vikings could have a star in the making.
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25. Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Houston Texans reunite C.J. Stroud with one of his go-to receivers from college. With Stefon Diggs hitting the open market and Tank Dell iffy to play in 2025, this Texans’ offense needs more pass-catchers who can get open. Emeka Egbuka is perfect for the No. 2 role working opposite of Nico Collins and he’ll already have great chemistry with the Texans’ quarterback.
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26. Los Angeles Rams: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Although they shut the Vikings’ passing offense down, the Los Angeles Rams allowed the seventh-most passing yards per attempt during the regular season. They lack a shutdown cornerback capable of shrinking the field, but Trey Amos could be a solution. Amos is known to be a stingy defender who isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty, and he does so without committing many penalties.
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27. Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr, OT, Oregon
This is all about protecting Jayden Daniels. The Washington Commanders offensive line just wasn’t good enough in 2024, especially the left side. Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. spent the last two seasons manning the left tackle spot, protecting both Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel. He’s an upgrade for Washington and can help make this Commanders’ offense even better.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
With Ronnie Stanley set for free agency, the Baltimore Ravens may prefer to find a long-term tackle solution. Armand Membou is a bit of a late riser in the draft process, but his 2024 film is undeniable. He didn’t allow any sacks or hits despite playing 827 snaps at right tackle, grading very well as a pass blocker and run defender. He only played right tackle at Missouri, but he’ll also be just 21 years old when the season starts.
29. Buffalo Bills: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
The Buffalo Bills just have to keep adding to this defense and that starts up front. Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Tyleik Williams already excels at getting off blocks, helping him be a disruptive force in the backfield quickly off the snap. Put him next to Ed Oliver and it makes life much easier for Buffalo’s edge rushers and off-ball linebackers.
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30. Philadelphia Eagles: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Josh Sweat is set for free agency, which places Nolan Smith and Bryce Huff as the top two edge rushers in Philadelphia. Knowing how Howie Roseman likes to be one step ahead of his needs, the Eagles could opt for a big, sturdy edge defender like Shemar Stewart (6-foot-6, 290 pounds). He’s more of a run-stuffer than sack artist, but that could change at the next level.
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31. Kansas City Chiefs: Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia
With experience playing left and right tackle, Wyatt Milum feels like the perfect prospect for a Kansas City Chiefs team that had to scramble to find capable starters this season. Milum has above-average athletic ability, which should play well in an Andy Reid offense quarterbacked by Patrick Mahomes.
32. Detroit Lions: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
When combined with Aidan Hutchinson, Princely Umanmielen has the potential to be an elite athletic pass-rusher. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher has also shown the ability to be a high-level run defender with the awareness to set the edge with consistency. He’d be a good addition to the Detroit Lions, who should be able to help him reach his true star potential.