by Ryan Addeo, Sports Director
Ryan Addeo’s 2025 NFL First-Round Mock Draft
1- Tennessee Titans, Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Ward is the obvious pick here. The Titans announced yesterday they plan to keep the first overall pick, and with a new general manager, the team appears ready for a fresh start. There’s no better way than selecting the top quarterback in the draft, Cam Ward.
2- Cleveland Browns, Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado
This is a best-player-available pick. With needs at several positions, the Browns opt for versatility in Travis Hunter. How head coach Kevin Stefanski uses him is a separate discussion.
3- New York Giants, Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
The Giants love loading up on the defensive line. Despite having Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence, Carter’s edge-rushing talent is too good to pass up on. His addition creates a formidable force in New York. Now they just need the rest of the roster to come together.
4- New England Patriots, Will Campbell, OT, LSU
New head coach Mike Vrabel wants to run the football. Campbell not only protects New England’s second-year quarterback Drake Maye but helps pave the way for Rhamondre Stevenson. His athleticism and ability to shift the line are a perfect fit for Vrabel’s offensive style.
5- Jacksonville Jaguars, Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Michigan didn’t have its best season, but its defensive line was dominant, largely thanks to Graham. Though slightly undersized at 6’3, Graham is arguably the most NFL-ready prospect so far and will be critical for a struggling Jaguars defense.
6- Las Vegas Raiders, Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
With a deep running back class ahead, the Raiders focus on fortifying their offensive line. Membou helps protect new quarterback Geno Smith. The Raiders can’t resist his upside and new head coach Pete Carroll loves it.
7- New York Jets, Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
After passing on Brock Bowers last year, the Jets don’t make the same mistake. Instead of drafting another offensive lineman, they grab the versatile Warren. He offers quarterback Justin Fields a reliable target and an additional blocker when Fields inevitably scrambles.
8- Carolina Panthers, Jalon Walker, DE, Georgia
With so many needs, this pick could be a trade candidate. But in this scenario, Carolina stays put and selects Walker, the best player at their greatest position of need. His edge speed will complement Derrick Brown well and add a formidable force an otherwise weak defense.
9- New Orleans Saints, Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders and his swagger are too much for the Saints to pass up, especially with Derek Carr’s health in question. Even if Sanders starts Week 1, he’s prepared to end the QB carousel in New Orleans set by Drew Brees’ retirement. Could his dad, Deion, soon follow?
10- Chicago Bears, Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Jeanty, perhaps the most exciting prospect in the draft, falls right to the Bears, who now boast one of the league’s best offensive lines after the offseason. The name of the game is taking pressure off Caleb Williams, and Jeanty is the way to win.
11- San Francisco 49ers, Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
With Charvarius Ward gone, the 49ers need help in the secondary. Johnson, the top corner in the draft, is a quick replacement and could be even better long term.
12- Dallas Cowboys, Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
It’s a match made in Texas. The Cowboys gamble on Stewart, whose production didn’t match his athleticism in college. If Micah Parsons sticks around, Dallas needs help alongside him, and Stewart could be it.
13- Miami Dolphins, Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Dolphins consider OT Kelvin Banks Jr., but instead address the secondary. With or without Jalen Ramsey, Barron is a necessary addition. He surely will at least outperform No. 2 corner, Storm Duck.
14- Indianapolis Colts, Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Colts are thin at linebacker. Campbell, the draft’s top coverage linebacker, is a perfect scheme fit and immediate upgrade. Indy will be thrilled to get him and his versatility will allow him to be used in every formation possible.
15- Atlanta Falcons, Mike Green, DE, Marshall
The Falcons ranked second worst in pressure rate last year. Green brings exactly what they lacked: edge-setting ability and quick pressure. This pick could help put them over the top, bringing them to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
16- Arizona Cardinals, Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Arizona needs defensive talent. Williams is slightly undersized but fits the Cardinals’ risk-taking draft philosophy. Plus, he’ll have newly-acquired veteran Calais Campbell to learn from.
17- Cincinnati Bengals, Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Bengals defense hasn’t been the same since Jessie Bates III left. Starks gives them a chance to reclaim that level of play in the secondary, and could be the start of something on the Bengals defense.
18- Seattle Seahawks, Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Banks falling this far is a surprise, and the Seahawks won’t think twice. Protecting quarterback Sam Darnold is crucial, and while they could go receiver, Banks is simply the best talent on the board.
TRADE – 19- Green Bay Packers (from Buccaneers), Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Packers trade up with Tampa Bay to grab McMillan, who was passed on by Seattle. Despite the history of hesitancy to draft receivers in the first round, Green Bay changes their philosophy, supporting quarterback Jordan Love.
20- Denver Broncos, Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
With Javonte Williams gone, Denver grabs the explosive Hampton. His presence should take pressure off second-year quarterback Bo Nix and add balance to the Broncos’ offense, adding some run game.
21- Pittsburgh Steelers, Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
The Kenny Pickett era didn’t pan out. Dart offers a similar gamble with his high ceiling. Surrounded by DK Metcalf and George Pickens, he could emulate the Ole Miss high-flying offense he is used to, and create nightmares for opposing defenses trying to stop big plays.
22- Los Angeles Chargers, Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Reuniting with former Michigan head coach, Jim Harbaugh, Loveland fits seamlessly into the Chargers’ system. He will be an excellent blocker for newly-acquired running back Najee Harris and a safety net for quarterback Justin Herbert.
TRADE – 23- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Packers), Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Tampa Bay adds some much-needed help in the secondary. Emmanwori, an athletic standout, pairs with Antoine Winfield Jr. to form a scary safety duo that would give any defensive coordinator or quarterback nightmares.
24- Minnesota Vikings, Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Vikings need a big body in the middle. Harmon’s size and presence are exactly what they’re missing, injury concerns or not.
25- Houston Texans, Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
In every mock draft I have seen, the Texans always end up with Simmons. With Laremy Tunsil gone and C.J. Stroud under constant pressure last season, this is a logical and much-needed selection.
TRADE – 26- New York Giants (from Rams), Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
The Rams move out of Round 1, while the Giants jump back in to grab Booker. GM Joe Schoen continues his love of Alabama linemen, following Evan Neal and Andrew Thomas, which will help to protect “Mr. Unlimited.”
27- Baltimore Ravens, Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Golden could’ve gone much earlier. The Ravens gladly take him, as he falls into their lap. As another speedy deep-threat wide receiver for Lamar Jackson, he will form a dangerous duo with Zay Flowers.
28- Detroit Lions, James Pierce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Pierce has off-field concerns but is too talented to slip further. His athleticism and hand technique make him the perfect pair on the other side for Aidan Hutchinson.
29- Washington Commanders, Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Egbuka is a reliable and pure slot receiver. He does have some problems breaking deep, but pairing him with former Ohio State receiver, Terry McLaurin and second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels gives the Commanders an exciting offensive core.
TRADE – 30- Jacksonville Jaguars (from Bills), Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State
With Brandon Beane claiming there are fewer than 30 first-round grades, the Bills trade down. Jacksonville takes a gamble on Zabel, a small-school talent with big potential. They need to protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is coming back from injury, and this is a start.
31 -Kansas City Chiefs, Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
If Buffalo passes, Kansas City won’t. Grant is a huge presence who will pair perfectly with one of the best defensive lineman in the league, Chris Jones, and elevate the Chiefs’ already formidable defense, run by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo
TRADE – 32- Cincinnati Bengals (from Eagles), Donovan Ezeiraku, DE, Boston College
The Eagles trade out, and the Bengals move up for rising prospect Ezeiraku. While the Eagles could easily take Ezeiraku themselves, they opt to let him join Trey Hendrickson to create a fearsome pass-rushing tandem that will put quarterbacks in the turf.
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