The 2024 NFL season is already in Week 17, which means it’s time for another 2025 NFL mock draft. Some teams are on a fast track to earning a top-five pick, while many others still hope a playoff spot falls right in their laps.
However, for the teams whose performance embodies 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 latest NFL standings to help determine our 2025 NFL 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 England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
While the New England Patriots need to build a better offensive line around Drake Maye, they need help in multiple areas. While the Patriots could take a left tackle, the best overall prospect available is Heisman winner Travis Hunter, who can be Maye’s top receiver and also a shutdown cornerback opposite Christian Gonzalez. – Andrew Buller-Russ
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2. Tennessee Titans: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Brian Callahan gave Will Levis a shot, but it’s become evident that more competition is needed in Tennessee. While Levis has a big arm that could develop more consistency, Shedeur Sanders will be much better at protecting the football and taking what the defense gives him.
3. Cleveland Browns: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Cleveland Browns are evidently going to give Deshaun Watson another shot in 2025. That creates a scenario we don’t want a first-round rookie quarterback walking into. Instead, Cleveland snags the best pure wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft. Tetairoa McMillan has the size and contested catch ability to be a quarterback’s best friend and he’ll also make plays with his remarkable athleticism at 6-foot-5. Cleveland needs a No. 1 receiver and McMillan provides just that for the Browns offense.
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4. New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Heading into Week 17, the buzz surrounding the New York Giants suggests general manager Joe Schoen is sticking around in 2025. If that’s the case, it’s worth noting that the Giants front office has heavily scouted one quarterback. But Shedeur Sanders isn’t available here. However, the Giants also closely scouted Cam Ward. If the Giants can continue to build up this offensive line, Ward will put Malik Nabers, Theo Johnson, and Tyrone Tracy in positions to thrive in the years to come. – Matt Johnson
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5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
While the Jacksonville Jaguars signed offensive tackle Walker Little to a contract extension in December, this offensive line still needs a lot of work. Anton Harrison, Jacksonville’s first-round pick in 2023, has allowed 27-plus pressures per season in consecutive years and never earned a PFF grade above 63 in either year. That’s just not good enough to pass on Will Campbell. He’s the best offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft class and gives a plug-and-play starter to help protect Trevor Lawrence.
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6. Carolina Panthers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Bryce Young is showing signs of growth, and Adam Thielen has helped provide a consistent receiver, but he’s not getting any quicker or younger. Xavier Legette is still developing, but he’ll need another weapon to threaten defenses. Luther Burden can do it all, stretching seams or picking up yards after the catch.
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7. New York Jets: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
There’s not a quarterback worth taking here for the New York Jets, so we go the BPA route. With corner DJ Reed Jr. likely to depart in NFL free agency, the Jets secondary is going to need better play at safety in the years to come. Malaki Starks is a legitimate top-10 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, which isn’t often the case for safeties. With his ball skills and football IQ, Starks could develop into a perennial Pro Bowl selection.
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8. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Without a quarterback available, the Raiders will repeat their approach from 2024, selecting the best player available. In this case, they address one of their biggest needs by securing the top pure cornerback prospect in the draft class. Plus, if Coach Pierce sticks around, he’ll love the physicality Will Johnson plays with.
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9. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas
The Chicago Bears must do a better job protecting Caleb Williams, that’s the bottom line. Braxton Jones was a fine starter, but he doesn’t offer the consistency or high-level play that is needed at left tackle. Kelvin Banks Jr. can provide that. He’ll help buy Williams more time in the pocket and with nearly 2,700 career snaps played at left tackle, he also provides the experience you’d want from a rookie who will be a Week 1 starter.
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10. New Orleans Saints: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
Cam Jordan will be another year older, and the Saints could lose Chase Young in free agency, which means they’ll once again need more reinforcements along the defensive line. Getting the best defensive tackle in the draft with the tenth overall pick is an absolute steal and Mason Graham has future superstar written all over him.
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11. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Trent Williams only played in 10 games this season and the San Francisco 49ers offensive line took a significant step backward. It’s time for the front office to make significant commitments in the trenches, starting with the first-round pick. Josh Simmons has played 800-plus snaps at both tackle spots and consistently improved as a blocker. He could be the ideal player for Williams to mentor, while spending his rookie season at another spot on the 49ers offensive line.
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12. Indianapolis Colts: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
The Indianapolis Colts simply haven’t been getting good enough play in the last three seasons from linebacker Zaire Franklin and this defense needs help. 6-foot-2 linebacker Jalon Walker offers the size, athleticism and versatility you look for in a prototype off-ball linebacker. He also plays well against the run and the raw tools give him significant upside as a pass rusher and coverage weapon. He could develop into an excellent three-down player for Indianapolis.
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13. Dallas Cowboys: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson just aren’t enough for the Dallas Cowboys to return to the days of having a top-10 offense. Dak Prescott needs a true No. 2 receiver who can exploit mismatches with defenses focused on Lamb, Emeka Egbuka is that guy. He’s familiar with the No. 2 receiver role and plays it well, bringing a more team-first mentality that the Cowboys need more of. Plug him into this passing game and Dallas will look much better offensively in 2025 and beyond.
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14. Arizona Cardinals: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Cardinals drafted Darius Robinson with a first-round pick last year. But he can play on the inside or outside. Now it’s time for the Cards to get a pure pass rusher who can create havoc off the edge. Abdul Carter has double-digit sack potential, and Jonathan Gannon should be able to help him reach his ceiling quicker in Arizona.
15. Miami Dolphins: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Terron Armstead turns 34 next season, and the Dolphins already need more help along the offensive line. Aireontae Ersery could spend the next two seasons developing on the right side, giving the Dolphins more than enough time to determine whether he’s a good fit on the left too.
16. Cincinnati Bengals: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Bengals will have to either pay Tee Higgins this offseason or risk losing one of their best playmakers. But how about adding another game-breaking weapon to an already potent offense? Ashton Jeanty can make the Bengals into one of the NFL’s best teams by giving them a home-run threat when running the ball too. They can work on fixing their defense in free agency and later through the draft.
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17. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
The Atlanta Falcons have to take the best pass rusher available in the 2025 NFL Draft. While this has been one of the worst defenses in football this year, it’s almost entirely because Atlanta can’t consistently pressure the opposing quarterback. James Pearce Jr. didn’t meet expectations this season, but his length and athleticism are enticing to coaches and scouts. If he can bulk up and work with a pass-rushing coach on his moves and timing, he could become a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
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18. Seattle Seahawks: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia
The Seahawks found their franchise left tackle in Charles Cross. Now it’s time to get some more foundational building blocks in the offensive trenches. Wyatt Milum would fit the bill and he brings added versatility as someone who could play guard or tackle.
19. Houston Texans: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Signing Danielle Hunter has proven to be an excellent move. He’s now among the NFL’s sack leaders. Now imagine if the Texans had a defensive menace along the interior too? Kenneth Grant can help shore up Houston’s run defense while generating pressure too. He’d be a great fit in Houston.
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20. Denver Broncos: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Bo Nix has done a good job limiting turnovers as a rookie, and that’s come without an established go-to receiver. Imagine if he had a new best friend capable of lining up all over the field. The 6-foot-6 Tyler Warren would give Nix a big target who also happens to be dangerous after the catch. Chances are he’d quickly become the top target in Denver alongside Courtland Sutton.
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21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Entering Week 17, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense ranked 15th in pressure rate (22.7 percent) and 20th in sack rate (6.5 percent). Simply put, Todd Bowles needs more guys who can get after the quarterback. Texas A&M Aggies edge rusher Nic Scourton provides just that, with the length and developing pass-rush moves to become an impact disruptor at the next level. He could step in quite nicely opposite of Yaya Diaby.
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22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Los Angeles Chargers have already exceeded expectations and the work to turn over this roster is just beginning. Jim Harbaugh knows that Justin Herbert needs more support, but Los Angeles also has a brand of football it wants to play. Michigan Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland knows exactly the kind of offense Harbaugh wants to run and he thrives in it. A plus-athlete with great pass-catching prowess and a willingness to block, Harbaugh will be elated to have his star tight end again.
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23. Los Angeles Rams: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Les Snead has done an excellent job building the front of this young Los Angeles Rams defense, now the defensive line needs help. Benjamin Morrison is a surefire first-round talent with the skills and instincts to develop into a very good No. 2 corner. Add him to the Rams secondary and this unit could be even better next season.
24. Washington Commanders: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Commanders stripped the roster down to the studs, which helped them get Jayden Daniels. But it also meant trading away Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Over a year later, the Commanders are still trying to replace them. Here they get an edge rusher who’s already effective at stopping the run, and he could develop into a top-of-the-line sack artist too.
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25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
The Pittsburgh Steelers spent all of 2024 trying to acquire a high-end receiver to pair with George Pickens and, with all due respect to Mike Williams, failed miserably. A former track standout, the 6-foot-2 Elic Ayomanor provides the Steelers offense with a dependable No.2. receiver who can make plays after the catch.
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26. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
The Ravens had to play some musical chairs after losing two offensive line starters over the offseason. Taking a heavy run-based approach, the Ravens have gotten by just fine. But now, even Ronnie Stanley is grading as a slightly above-average lineman instead of an elite one, and right tackle Roger Rosengarten hasn’t looked like a high-end starter either. Meanwhile, Cameron Williams has the potential to take over as an All-Pro with the type of arm length that can keep even the best edge rushers at bay.
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27. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Jaire Alexander hasn’t demonstrated he can stay healthy and while he’ll almost certainly be back with the Green Bay Packers in 2025, this team needs alternatives. Shavon Revel isn’t a big name months out from the 2025 NFL Draft, but East Carolina’s star offers the length and size (6-foot-3) that Green Bay likes from its corners. The height-weight-speed and aggressiveness are extremely enticing and he could quickly become an impactful outside corner for Green Bay.
28. Philadelphia Eagles: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Teams can never have enough edge rushers, and Eagles GM Howie Roseman knows this all too well. Nolan Smith is developing into a more than capable starter, but Bryce Huff is only under contract for two more seasons. Shemar Stewart can work in as a rotational rusher before eventually taking over for Huff completely in due time.
29. Buffalo Bills: Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
The second half of the 2024 NFL season has shown some issues with this Buffalo Bills defense, including upfront. Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (6-foot-3 and 326 pounds) is a bit of a project, but if coached correctly and he develops, Buffalo would be getting a steal at the back end of the first round.
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30. Minnesota Vikings: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
The Vikings have lacked high-end defensive line talent for several seasons now. It’s an area they’ll have to address, whether it’s in free agency, trade, or through the draft. Here, they get lucky by landing a disruptive rusher who can make his presence felt against the rush too. Plus, perhaps the Vikings can unlock another level of play out of the former top prospect.
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31. Detroit Lions: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
The Detroit Lions could go in a number of directions, but our focus shifts to the thinning interior offensive line. While North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel has enjoyed a breakout season at right tackle, he’s also been very versatile in his career with multiple starts at left guard and right tackle and some time at center and right guard. That kind of versatility can be very nice to have, especially since some of Detroit’s interior linemen have durability issues.
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32. Kansas City Chiefs: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The Chiefs struck gold with Isiah Pacheco, but Kansas City is learning that more help is needed in their backfield. This year, they’ve been forced to turn to Kareem Hunt, but neither he nor Pacheco have averaged north of 4.0 yards per carry, which shows there’s plenty of room for improvement. Omarion Hampton can provide the Chiefs with a goal-line option capable of picking up the tough yards between the hashes.