The Sports Branch official 2025 Mock Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is only hours away and it is shaping up to be one of the least predicatable first rounds in recent memory. Jacksonville is a late candidate for running back Ashton Jeanty, Shedeur Sanders' stock continues to be unpredicatble and trade rumors are swirling. But in this mock draft, each team stays in their slot and no trades are made. If you missed out, make sure to go back and check out the 2025 Co-Mock draft from last week. Here is my official 2025 Mock Draft.

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1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward QB, Miami

While the 2025 Draft is expected to have some wild twists and turns, that won’t be the case to begin the night. By announcing their intention to stay at No. 1 and pick, the Titans have all but confirmed that Ward will be the face of their franchise for the future.

2) Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter WR/CB, Colorado

Even though quarterback is the team’s biggest need, it doesn't sound like Shedeur Sanders is the likely candidate here. The Browns have been seemingly locked in on Travis Hunter for a few weeks now and it doesn’t appear that will change before the Draft. Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, can play both receiver and corner in the NFL like he did at Colorado.

3) New York Giants: Abdul Carter Edge, Penn State

Another QB-needy team passes up on Shedeur Sanders here as the Giants take the top pass-rusher, Abdul Carter. While I do think the Giants are the team that would be most likely to take Sanders, league reports are saying that the Giants are more likely to go QB on day two of the draft. Carter would add to a talented pass-rush unit that already consists of Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux

4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell OT, LSU

Campbell has been the consensus No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in this class for as long as I can remember, despite concerns about his arm length. While there has been some brief chatter about the Patriots selecting a defensive player, I think that would only happen if Abdul Carter falls to them. Other than that, the priority is adding protection for Drake Maye, who would love this pick.

5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Tetairoa McMillan WR, Arizona

Well, the Jaguars have certainly made draft week much more interesting. There are a lot of rumors swirling about Jacksonville’s interest in Ashton Jeanty and the likelihood of them taking Jeanty.

Personally, I think it’s just smoke to try to get someone to move up for the Boise State running back. But I do believe that new general manager James Gladstone wants to take an offensive player, as reports suggest.

McMillan would fit as the No. 2 option in the passing game that lost Christian Kirk and Evan Engram this offseason.

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

Jeanty and the Raiders have been linked for a while in the pre-draft process, especially with Pete Caroll taking over as head coach and the team trading for QB Geno Smith.

Although they have other needs and it might be too early for some people for a running back to get drafted, Jeanty is a special, special prospect. He would instantly be the starter and workhorse for a team that was dead last in rush yards per game last season.

If Jeanty is off the board or the Raiders pass on him here, pay close attention to offensive tackles Armand Membou and Kelvin Banks Jr.

7) New York Jets: Armand Membou OT, Missouri

The popular pick here all offseason has been tight end Tyler Warren but I think the Jets will elect to boost the offensive line on night one and then get a pass-catcher later.

New York lost starting right tackle Morgan Moses in the offseason and the unit was already just average last year. With Olu Fashanu at LT and Membou at RT, the Jets would have two high-ceiling tackles for the future to protect Justin Fields or whoever is QB1 down the road.

8) Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker Edge, Georgia

Walker has been tied to Carolina for the majority of the pre-draft process and I’m going with the chalk pick here.

Walker visited with the Panthers during the combine and they had a top-30 visit with him, so there’s an obvious interest. Further, the Panthers had a historically bad defense last year and need a plethora of upgrades.

Walker can play several different roles, helping improve many of those needs at once.

9) New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams Edge, Georgia

Even with the shoulder injury and concerns for Derek Carr, it doesn’t seem like the Saints are going to use this pick on Shedeur Sanders.

If that holds, I think this pick will be used on a pass rusher, either on the edge or the interior. Saints legend Cameron Jordan will be 36 in July and this season is his last under contract.

Mykel Williams, one of the top edge rushers in this class, will help the Saints once Jordan moves on and be that next great pass-rusher for the organization.

10) Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren TE, Penn State

Because the top two offensive tackles and the top running back are gone before their pick, the Bears take another dynamic playmaker. Warren, the consensus No. 1 tight end in the class, falls right to new head coach Ben Johnson and the Bears.

Johnson and his team could run plenty of two-tight end sets with Warren and Cole Kmet, elevating both their run and passing offense. A receiving core of DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and Tyler Warren would be scary for NFC North defenses.

If Chicago does go in a different direction, offensive tackle and edge rusher are two positions to watch.

11) San Francisco 49ers: Mason Graham DT, Michigan

Graham’s slide finally stops here with the 49ers at No. 11. Graham could go earlier but the landing spot and positional value were hard to combine for a team before here.

San Francisco has thrived when having a deep and disruptive defensive line. With some injury issues and free agency departures, that aspect of their defense has diminished. But the addition of Graham would be a step in the right direction.

12) Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden WR, Texas

Dallas could look at a few different options here including running back, defensive tackle, or guard. But they should prioritize getting another receiver for Dak Prescott and some relief for CeeDee Lamb.

The Cowboys’ No. 2 receiver Jalen Tolbert had 610 yards last year. After him, nobody surpassed the 500-yard mark. Golden would be a nice deep threat for Dallas’s offense as he ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine.

13) Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr. OT, Texas

The Dolphins have to protect Tua Tagovailoa and keep him healthy, and that became more challenging when Terron Armstead announced his retirement earlier this month.

Armstead’s departure leaves a massive hole at left tackle that Banks can fill right away. Banks, the 2024 Outland Trophy winner, played over 850 snaps at left tackle in each of his three seasons at Texas.

If Miami goes in another direction, Malaki Starks is a name to watch.

14) Indianapolis Colts: Coleston Loveland TE, Michigan

General Manager Chris Ballard has been vocal about the team’s need to improve the tight end position, as they search for someone who can be a passing and blocking threat.

Last season, the Colts had zero tight ends post 200 receiving yards or more. Loveland would help solve that problem, serving primarily as a weapon in the passing game for Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, whoever is playing QB next year.

15) Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr. Edge, Tennessee

The bottom line is this pick is going to be, and has to be a pass-rusher of some sort for the Falcons. Atlanta ranked 31st in sacks in 2024 and has not ranked in the top 10 in sacks since 2004.

If Pearce ends up not being the pick, I would expect Mike Green or Shemar Stewart to be in play.

16) Arizona Cardinals: Jahdae Barron CB, Texas

Arizona made some key moves in free agency that helped their defensive front, allowing them to pivot to another need, cornerback.

Barron, the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner, is in contention for CB1 in this class due to his performance and concerns surrounding Michigan’s Will Johnson. Barron held opposing QBs to a passer rating of 34.2 last season at Texas and allowed just 284 yards while recording five interceptions.

17) Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolen DT, Ole Miss

The Bengals are another team that should 100% be looking at the defensive side of the ball on night one. Cincinnati needs pass-rush help desperately. Even with NFL sack king Trey Hendrickson–who is holding out–they ranked in the bottom 10 in sacks.

In this scenario Walter Nolen, who could go as early as the top-10, falls to Cincinnati, giving them another force on the interior.

18) Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel OT/G, North Dakota State

Seattle needs to improve the interior of its offensive line and Zabel, who played snaps at four offensive line positions in college, is the solution.

Most view Zabel as a guard even though he took hundreds of snaps at left and right tackle at North Dakota State. He could start right away and be a key piece for Sam Darnold’s protection.

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell LB, Alabama

If there’s one true linebacker who will go in the first round, it’s Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell. However, some injury concerns could see Campbell slide later.

As mentioned in our co-mock draft, the Bucs need to evaluate what life after Lavonte David looks like. In this mock, it looks like Jihaad Campbell carrying the torch from the Buccaneers legend.

20) Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka WR, Ohio State

The Broncos were limited on draft picks last year, forcing them to grab Bo Nix early in round one. It’s safe to say that pick was a home run and now they can build around a franchise QB.

A popular pick in mock drafts has been running back, specifically Omarion Hampton or one of Ohio State’s dynamic backs. But with the overall running back depth in this class, I think they’ll prioritize a true WR2 to pair with Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram.

21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders QB, Colorado

Shedeur Sanders’ slide finally comes to a stop. It’s been difficult to pin down a landing spot for Sanders, who at one point was a candidate for the top three. But with teams divided on his play and how he interviewed, he could slide to the end of or completely out of round one.

The Steelers, however, have been connected to the Colorado QB during the pre-draft process. With Aaron Rodgers still debating playing for Pittsburgh or retiring, quarterback is very much in play in Steel City.

22) Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Green Edge, Marshall

With the top tight ends and the majority of the round-one receivers off the board, the Charges will likely look at the defensive line.

Mike Green, who could go as early as the top 15, falls right in their lap at No. 22. Green led the FBS in sacks last year with 17, playing his way into the first round.

23) Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson CB, Michigan

Johnson could very easily go earlier than this but injury concerns and some questions on his speed during his final season at Michigan could cause him to slip.

The Packers need another corner, especially with Jaire Alexander’s future with the team still uncertain. As of now, Green Bay has slot corner Nate Hobbs and special teamer Keisean Nixon starting at corner. Johnson would be CB1 for the Packers right away.

24) Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori S, South Carolina

Minnesota has been constantly named as a potential trade-back candidate as they have only four picks in this year’s draft. But if they stay put and pick like they are in this mock, they’ll be looking at defensive backs.

Emmanwori blew people away at the combine, running a 4.38 40-yard dash, which ranked first among safeties. With Harrison Smith playing the 2025 season at 36 years old, Emmanwori can have a big impact now and when Smith calls it a career.

25) Houston Texans: Josh Conerly Jr. OT, Oregon

I’m sticking with my pick from the co-mock here as the Texans take Oregon right tackle, Josh Conerly Jr.

Houston has to address the offensive line in the draft. C.J. Stroud was the second-most sacked QB in the NFL last year, and three of his starting linemen are no longer with the team.

Conerly had a combine visit and top-30 visit with Houston in the pre-draft process. He could start right away at RT or rotate with Trent Brown, the current projected starter.

26) Los Angeles Rams: Trey Amos CB, Ole Miss

A lot of mock drafts have the Rams making a trade with a QB-needy team to acquire more draft capital as they have zero picks after this until No. 90. But if they stick and pick here, cornerback is a very likely possibility.

Both Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon are 30 or older and the Rams secondary allowed 223.1 passing yards per game last year, just beyond the league average. Amos ran a 4.28 40-yard dash and allowed just 280 receiving yards in coverage at Ole Miss last season.

27) Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks S, Georgia

This is a far fall for Starks, who some consider to be the safest pick in the draft. But with the positional value of safety typically falling below offensive tackle, edge rusher and many others, Starks could slide to the end of round 1.

If Starks does slide, the Ravens would be sprinting to get this pick submitted. Baltimore’s secondary allowed the second-most passing yards per game a season ago. Pairing Starks with All-Pro Kyle Hamilton would be a great start toward improving that.

28) Detroit Lions: Shemar Stewart Edge, Texas A&M

Stewart’s range is very wide, he could go as early as the top 15 or as late as the end of the first round as he does here. Regardless, Detroit really needs another edge rusher, they were considered a favorite for Myles Garrett at one point for a reason.

Stewart has gotten a lot of praise for his physical characteristics in the pre-draft process but his production has some teams with more questions.

29) Washington Commanders: Donovan Ezeiruaku Edge, Boston College

Washington had the most unexpected season last year, going from picking No. 2 overall to being one game away from the Super Bowl. This offseason, they invested heavily in Jayden Daniels, making moves for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Deebo Samuel.

But with their offseason departures on the line of scrimmage, they need to address their pass rush. Ezeiruaku is a name that could very well be called on night one and would be a perfect fit for the Commanders.

If Josh Conerly Jr is available here though, there’s a strong possibility that’s where Washington goes. They had a combine and top-30 visit with the Oregon OT.

30) Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Grant DT, Michigan

Buffalo needs another defensive tackle to play alongside Ed Olvier, especially with DaQuan Jones turning 34 in December and Larry Ogunjobi suspended for the first six games of the year.

Grant is one name that has been mentioned a lot in the first round, especially for the defensive tackle position, where four players could be taken in the first round. If Buffalo goes elsewhere, corner and safety are positions to watch.

31) Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons OT, Ohio State

If you remember the Super Bowl–only two months ago–then you remember that the Eagles had Patrick Mahomes running for his life. Kansas City would be ecstatic if they had the chance to pick Simmons if he falls down the board on Thursday night.

Patrick Mahomes was sacked more times last season than any year in his career. The Chiefs had no answers at left tackle and even tried moving left guard Joe Thuney there at the end of the year. With Thuney now in Chicago, the entire left side of the offensive line is in shambles.

Simmons is viewed as a right tackle in this draft but it’s important to note that he played over 1,110 snaps at left tackle while at Ohio State. That includes 2023 when he started at LT for the Buckeyes and recorded 824 snaps there.

32) Philadelphia Eagles: Derrick Harmon DT, Oregon

The Eagles value the defensive tackle position, even in their 3-4 scheme. They’ve used several first-round picks on DTs over the years and do so again here with Oregon’s Derrick Harmon.

Philadelphia losing Milton Williams in free agency makes this pick an even better fit for Howie Roseman and co., who always build through the trenches first.