2025 NFL mock draft: Latest Round 1 projections with Giants, Packers, Bills trading up

The Tennessee Titans are taking quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Tennessee’s emphasis on improving the offensive line through NFL free agency should erase any notion of a trade-down. Ward isn’t walking into a perfect situation by any means, but he’ll have a functional offensive line protecting him and he can lift the talent around him. Tennessee is taking a bit of a gamble here on a non-elite QB prospect, but the franchise needs a quarterback and Ward is by far the best in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Related: NFL Draft rumors hint at likely Titans’ move with first overall pick

The Cleveland Browns are reaching here, as quarterback Shedeur Sanders probably isn’t even a top-20 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the Atlanta Falcons now want draft compensation for Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson seems destined to play for the New York Giants. It leaves Cleveland with no other viable alternative to give Myles Garrett the caliber of quarterback he wants. The good news is that Sanders can fit the kind of offense Kevin Stefanski wants to run and Cleveland is putting together a viable offensive line. Sanders fits the Browns’ scheme and a rookie QB contract makes life easier with the Garrett and Deshaun Watson deals still on the books.

Related: Mutual interest between Cleveland Browns, veteran QB

The New York Giants now seem more inclined to take the veteran quarterback route with the Titans seemingly locked in on Cam Ward. Shedeur Sanders is also off the board in our 2025 NFL mock draft, but we wouldn’t see New York taking him regardless. Travis Hunter is the best prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft and New York could use him in a two-way player in some form. He can operate as a No.2. receiver for 20-25 snaps per game with the rest of his opportunities coming opposite of Paulson Adebo at cornerback. New York would also have a new face of the franchise, which it needs.

Related: New York Giants eyeing one of two veteran QBs

The New England Patriots walk out of this NFL mock draft with one of the two best players in the class. While this selection doesn’t directly help quarterback Drake Maye, it can in the long run. Perennial Pro Bowl edge rushers now cost $35-plus million per season, Abdul Carter has that ceiling as a prospect. Carter will be a bargain on his rookie contract, providing outstanding production at arguably the second-most valuable position in football.

Related: Insider reveals how high New England Patriots are on Travis Hunter

The Jacksonville Jaguars snag the best defensive prospect on the board with Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham. He’d be joining a Jaguars defensive line that already boasts Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, two excellent edge defenders who would make Graham’s life on the interior even easier. The Jaguars defense gets better in the trenches, landing an impact disruptor who can help turn this unit around.

For the Las Vegas Raiders, this is all about competing now. The team already landed its high-end starter in Geno Smith and there are still a few pass-catching options in NFL free agency to strengthen the receiving corps. Ashton Jeanty can be an All-Pro back at the next level and he’s everything Chip Kelly is looking for in a featured back for this Raiders offense.

Related: Las Vegas Raiders close to huge contract extension

The New York Jets could certainly take the best defensive player available, but first-year head coach Aaron Glenn also saw the importance of the offensive line with the Detroit Lions. Armand Membou might be the best offensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft and he certainly offers a higher ceiling than Will Campbell. Membou would be a plug-and-play starter at right tackle, strengthening the Jets’ pass protection and giving Justin Fields a real shot to prove himself in 2025.

The Carolina Panthers‘ top receiving options all came off the board ahead of NFL free agency, which could force a bit of a reach pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan doesn’t have great speed or elite separation ability, but he’s a big-bodied wideout with a massive catch radius and he can make plays downfield. After not getting Bryce Young much help this offseason, landing McMillan gives the franchise quarterback a No. 1 receiver to work with.

Related: Concerning Carolina Panthers news on Jonathon Brooks future

The New Orleans Saints can go in a variety of directions in this spot, but the Paulson Adebo departure in free agency pushes us to a cornerback. At 6-foot-1, Will Johnson has good size for the position with instincts and excellent ball skills. Having moved on from Adebo and Marshon Lattimore, Johnson gives New Orleans its new top cornerback.

Using the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on an offensive lineman – having already acquired Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson -might seem like a waste. However, this is the Chicago Bears doubling down on their commitment to winning in the trenches. If not for his short arms, Campbell is probably a top-five pick. He would be given a chance to compete with Braxton Jones for the left tackle spot and if he loses, Chicago has a long-term starter at guard to eventually replace Thuney or Jackson in 2026.

The San Francisco 49ers lost Charvarius Ward this offseason and while they have two very good cornerbacks – Renardo Green and Demoodore Lenoir – more help is needed. Jahdae Barron is one of the most versatile defensive prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft and he could play on the outside or Robert Saleh could move him elsewhere around the field. The bottom line is that San Francisco adds another playmaker to its young secondary.

Related: NFL defense rankings after free agency, see where San Francisco 49ers land

This might seem like a reach for the Dallas Cowboys but Matthew Golden feels like an ideal No. 2 receiver. He excels at creating separation with crisp route running and he demonstrates the ability to make plays at all three levels of the field. The Golden-Lamb combo would provide Dak Prescott with a 1A and 1b pass-catchers, plus he’s got YAC ability that also makes him a dangerous weapon.

Related: Insider sheds light on odds of Dallas Cowboys trading Micah Parsons

The Miami Dolphins let safety Jevon Holland walk in NFL free agency, creating a clear need at safety. While defensive back Malaki Starks wasn’t phenomenal in his final season with the Georgia Bulldogs, he is still an all-around safety with a nose for the football. Starks really fills that void left by Holland and he could form an excellent tandem with Ifeatu Melifonwu.

Related: NFL power rankings 2025, see where the Miami Dolphins land

The Indianapolis Colts snag the best tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft, providing either starting quarterback Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson with a great pass-catching threat in the short and intermediate areas. Warren is also capable of taking a few carries out of the backfield, offering athleticism and size that Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen can take advantage of. Given what Steichen did with Dallas Goedert in Philadelphia, Warren could be a Pro Bowl tight end for Indianapolis.

Related: NFL coach raves about Daniel Jones fit with Indianapolis Colts

• TRADE: Green Bay Packers trade 23rd and 87th overall pick to Atlanta Falcons for the15th overall pick

The Green Bay Packers failed to land an edge rusher in free agency so it would be in their best interest to snag one in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the draft capital they have, trading up is more realistic than ever. Shemar Stewart wasn’t productive in college – 4.5 sacks in 37 games – but the 6-foot-5 edge rusher is an elite athlete with an outstanding motor. He’s already a solid run defender and his pass-rushing upside could eventually make him a high-end starter and the Packers’ No. 1 pass rusher.

The run on edge rusher has started in our 2025 NFL mock draft. While the Arizona Cardinals signed Josh Sweat, there’s a lot more work needed to be done with this unit. Mike Green ahs some off-field question marks, but the 6-foot-3 pass rusher led the FBS in sacks (17) last season and offers the motor, pass-rush moves and physicality to be a quality No. 2 edge rusher opposite of Sweat.

The Cincinnati Bengals rolled the dice on Amarius Mims in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, this would be a similar gamble. Georgia Bulldogs edge rusher Mykel Williams didn’t have great production in college – 14 sacks in 40 games – but the physical tools here are off the charts. Cincinnati would be betting on upside here, but it’s the type of gamble a team needs to take when the defense was awful in 2024 even with Trey Hendrickson.

Related: Cincinnati Bengals star might sit out 2025 NFL season

The Seattle Seahawks have seemingly ignored addressing their offensive line in free agency, so we won’t assume the front office views it as a priority in Round 1. Colston Loveland isn’t a great in-line blocker, but he provides the Seahawks offense with a chain mover at tight end in Klint Kubiak’s system. Sam Darnold will also need a pass-catcher who can get separation quickly because of the state of the Seahawks offensive line. Colston Loveland, who has some Sam LaPorta to his game, helps out.

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing Hasson Reddick to bolster their pass rush, there is more flexibility in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. While off-ball linebackers typically struggle in their first season, Jihaad Campbell would have the added benefit of playing alongside Lavonte David. That’s the perfect veteran to help account for Campbell’s early mistakes and the rookie’s athleticism and fit as a three-down linebacker would be a huge addition to the middle of this Buccaneers defense.

The Denver Broncos already have the offensive ecosystem in place to justify spending a first-round pick on a running back. There are also some teams who prefer Omarion Hampton over Ashton Jeanty. What we know is that behind the Broncos offensive line as the featured back in Sean Payton’s offense, Hampton could challenge for a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie. He would thrive in Denver and, with the 2025 NFL Draft class weaker at wide receiver, he’s the right chess piece to take this offense to a higher level next season and beyond.

The Pittsburgh Steelers solved their need at wide receiver with the DK Metcalf trade and it seems likely that Aaron Rodgers will eventually sign to fill the void at quarterback. It allows Pittsburgh to shift focus to the defensive line. Kenneth Grant – 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds – offers a bid-bodied presence on the interior who can draw double teams or win against one-on-one blocks with power. He could be an immediate upgrade over Larry Ogunjobi, who the team moved on from this offseason.

• TRADE: Buffalo Bills trade the 30th, 109th and 132nd overall picks to the Los Angeles Chargers for the 22nd overall pick

While this would be an aggressive move for the Buffalo Bills, James Pearce Jr. is an edge rusher worth gambling on. He offers an explosive first step with the body fluidity and length to bend around the edge and create some separation. While he currently lacks the power to be a well-rounded pass rusher, Pearce Jr. could thrive opposite of Gregory Rousseau in Sean McDermott’s system.

The Atlanta Falcons trade down and still snag an edge rusher. Jalon Walker is a hybrid defender, more than capable of dropping back in coverage as an off-ball linebacker or flying in against the run. While he does have a lot of room to grow in regards to creating pressure, he would provide a ton of athleticism to the Falcons defense and he could be counted on as a three-down player. There’s also the upside of him becoming a high-end pass rusher, run defender and coverage backer.

The Minnesota Vikings addressed the trenches in NFL free agency, creating more options in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Safety Nick Emmanwori was one of the standouts at the NFL Combine, showcasing elite athleticism that pushed him into the first-round consideration. He could be the long-term successor for Harrison Smith, in the meantime serving as a versatile defensive back for Brian Flores next season.

Related: Love Minnesota Sports? Check Out MinnesotaSportsFan.com

The Houston Texans have truly failed to address the offensive line adequately this offseason and it should remain a priority early in the 2025 NFL Draft. Grey Zabel played four different positions on the offensive line at North Dakota State, but his future is on the interior. Whether Houston sees him as a guard or center, he’s the best interior lineman available and Houston can’t keep risking C.J. Stroud’s health in the years to come.

The Los Angeles Rams have a great foundation defensively with their young front, but everything behind the defensive line is a problem. Maxwell Hairston followed up a quality performance at the Senior Bowl with an electric showing at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.28 40-yard dash). While he lacks prototypical size (5-foot-11), he does provide speed, instincts and the ability to mirror wide receivers. Plus, he’ll look even better thanks to a strong Rams’ pass rush.

Related: Love Los Angeles Sports? Check Out LAFBNetwork.com

The Baltimore Ravens wisely re-signed Ronnie Stanley but there remains a glaring need on the interior offensive line. Tyler Booker isn’t a flashy prospect, lacking high-end athleticism and foot speed, but he’s an instinctual player with the power to block in a downhill offense. Paving the way for Derrick Henry, Booker would be a strong addition to the Ravens offensive line.

Derrick Harmon might be a top-20 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft but a run on edge rushers pushes him into the Detroit Lions’ lap. With Alim McNeil recovering from season-ending knee surgery, Detroit would be wise to strengthen its interior. Harmon is an excellent interior pass rusher who would thrive playing on the same line as Aidan Hutchinson.

The Washington Commanders make a move for the present and the future with this pick. In 2025, Kelvin Banks Jr could potentially start at left guard with Brandon Coleman at right tackle. Even if Banks doesn’t win a starting spot in training camp, he would be a natural successor to Laremy Tunsil. Injuries and inconsistency push him down the draft, but this could look like a steal 3 years from now.

We have the Los Angeles Chargers taking a bit of a gamble in our 2025 NFL mock draft but it pays off. After sliding down, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz still provides Justin Herbert with a No. 2 receiver. While Emeka Egbuka doesn’t do anything flashy, he’s a pro-ready wideout with great hands and an understanding of how to get early separation. He’ll never be a No. 1 pass-catcher, but Los Angeles seems to be more focused on finding culture fits who get open quickly and Egbuka checks those boxes.

• TRADE: New York Giants trade 34th and 99th overall picks to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 31st and 133rd overall picks

After taking Travis Hunter early, we have the New York Giants now trading up a few spots to get the fifth-year option on Jaxson Dart. The rookie would get the chance to compete with Jameis Winston to be the Giants starting quarterback in Week 1, but it’s more likely he would take over in late October or early November. Either way, it’s a lower-cost gamble than reaching for a quarterback at No. 3 overall and it gives Brian Daboll a project he can work with to try and save his job.

The Philadelphia Eagles have added plenty of pass-rushing depth this offseason, but all of those additions came on one-year deals. Donovan Ezeiruaku slides a bit due to his size (6-foot-2), but he’s a very good athlete with a huge wingspan. He would be a moldable piece of clay for the Eagles coaching staff to shape in 2025, working on his pass-rush moves and ironing out his game, but the upside here is higher than you’d typically get from a pick this late in Round 1.