It’s time for our first look at the 2025 NFL Draft … and it’s only May! Where will top prospects call home, and who might the Bengals land?
Since it’s trendy to do a “way-too-early” mock draft, let’s have some fun predicting what may happen in 2025. Interestingly, this draft is unique in the fact that every team owns their own first round draft pick. This will probably change, but from what I could find, the last year every team owned their own first round draft pick was 1965 – when there were 14 teams.
The draft order here is mostly based on super bowl odds but adapted somewhat for how I expect things to shake out. No trades will be mocked just yet – maybe in a later edition.
2025 Projected Selections
1. New York Giants: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
I expect the Giants to be really, really, really bad. The Daniel Jones era is coming to an end – good luck finding anyone that disagrees with that. Shedeur Sanders has the intangibles and leadership skills to make a front office salivate. He doesn’t have a cannon, but with his touch, timing, and footwork, he will be too difficult to pass up and New York will be a fun destination for Prime Jr. Don’t be surprised if Sanders is the #1 overall pick whoever is picking here.
2. Denver Broncos: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
The Broncos picked Bo Nix in 2024, so they’ll pass on Beck here, but if they land the first pick, don’t be shocked if they pick Sanders and move on from Nix in a heartbeat.
Pearce Jr. led the SEC with 10 sacks in 2023 and racked up 15 TFL. At 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds he has some weight to gain, but don’t be fooled by the lanky frame – he bursts off the edge with speed AND power. The Broncos get our #1 overall prospect here.
3. New England Patriots: OT Will Campbell, LSU
The Patriots got their franchise QB (Drake Maye) in the 2024 draft. Now, it’s time to protect him with the best OT available in 2025. Otherwise, New England might look at Kelvin Banks Jr. here but his size may push him to the interior in the NFL.
4. Carolina Panthers: EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
You can’t ever have enough EDGE talent in the NFL. Scourton led the Big Ten with 10 sacks in 2023 and with his elite size, the Panthers can’t pass up the chance for a true disruptor up front, and an replacement for Brian Burns.
5. Washington Commanders: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Johnson would have been a first round pick this year if he was eligible. The best true corner in the draft, Washington cannot help but pick up an anchor for their secondary, especially after adding Jayden Daniels in 2024. Travis Hunter is intriguing here, but Johnson is a can’t-miss prospect.
6. Tennessee Titans: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
I expect QB Will Levis to earn some more time even if Tennessee is drafting this high. The Titans have too many needs to single one out and say they must draft that position. Expect them to take the best player available here – no doubt Travis Hunter. Hunter has plus size and insane athleticism with the versatility to be a top-10 pick as a WR or CB.
7. Arizona Cardinals: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
Arizona is handcuffed to Kyler Murray with his current contract, and I don’t expect teams to be lining up to trade for him. Their defense ranked 25th in yards allowed in 2023 and gave up the second most TDs (54). They will thank their lucky stars that a trench prospect as good as Graham fell and hand in that selection in less than a minute. Graham plugs gaps in the running game but has the ability at the point of attack to make any QB nervous.
8. Minnesota Vikings: OT/OG Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Many have Banks Jr. as their top OT, but his size profiles more as a Guard. Regardless, he’s a very talented OL prospect. Versatility and value here. If Jefferson is gone by this point, this pick will no doubt be Emeka Egbuka or Luther Burden III, but we’ll assume Jefferson is still in town and the Vikings bolster the line up front for McCarthy’s presumed takeover in 2025.
9. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Carson Beck, Georgia
The Raiders are fooling themselves if they think O’Connell or Minshew are the answer. Either could make some noise as a starter but so did Tommy DeVito… Carson Beck is the best true pocket passer in the draft. With a gunslinger mentality and the arm to get the ball there, Beck has proven his potential with a stellar 24-6 TD-INT ratio to go with a 72% completion percentage and 3,941 yards in 2023. I really think Las Vegas is a candidate to trade up for Sanders. They might also take a liking to Milroe in this spot depending on his development in 2024.
10. New Orleans Saints: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
The Saints did not pick a WR early this year and have virtually nothing at the position outside of Chris Olave. They need a weapon for Derek Carr, and yes, it will be Derek Carr – see the $150 million contract he signed. Egbuka is a speedster with smooth route running skills making him a dangerous deep threat. Luther Burden III is also an option here, but I have the Saints opting for speed-size combination.
11. Seattle Seahawks: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Geno Smith is a great comeback story. Geno Smith is not going to be the franchise QB in Seattle past 2025. The Seahawks take a look at Quinn Ewers here, but ultimately opt for the athleticism and raw power of Jalen Milroe. Milroe needs to develop as a pocket passer but expect that to be a point of emphasis with Kalen DeBoer at the helm in Tuscaloosa. Physically, there isn’t anything Milroe cannot do as a passer. Regardless, he will be the most highly scrutinized draft prospect in 2025.
12. Indianapolis Colts: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
Williams played a lot with his hand on the ground last year, and still had 5 sacks. He’s transitioning to an OLB/EDGE role this year and with his age (19) and raw potential, expect him to be in the mix at the top of the draft.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
There is a really good chance Burden is not available here. Some team before pick 13 may decide they just can’t pass him up. The Steelers simply cannot expect to find success with George Pickens running routes all by himself on the outside. Unless they find an answer in FA, they could be going WR all the way.
14. Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE/OLB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
Oft-injured Khalil Mack seems like a short-term solution across from Joey Bosa at this point. The Chargers nab a dominant pass rushing linebacker with outrageous speed at his position in Perkins Jr. He needs to bulk up, but we expect a breakout 2024 campaign.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi
The 5th player selected EDGE position; the Jaguars may be reaching here. Umanmielen was a 4-year producer at Florida who transferred to Ole Miss this offseason to find a defense to showcase some consistency in. He has the size and explosiveness that scouts look for, and he is primed for a breakout season.
16. Chicago Bears: OG Tyler Booker, Alabama
The Bears have an insane arsenal of weapons on the offensive side for Caleb Williams to employ. They need to shore up the offensive line to have any time or space to use those weapons. Tyler Booker is a road grader with a mean streak that earned All-SEC honors in his first year as a starter at Alabama. Plug and play.
17. Atlanta Falcons: NT Deone Walker, Kentucky
Maybe the Falcons will pick another QB, who knows. If they have their heads on straight, they won’t regret picking the best player available to pair with Grady Jarrett. Walker led the Wildcats in sacks and TFL despite finding himself double-teamed nearly every down. That kind of production from a man who plays at 346 pounds – think Vita Vea.
18. Cleveland Browns: S Malaki Starks, Georgia
Probably wishing they did not sign DeShaun Watson, but unable to offload him, the Browns opt to shore up their defensive backfield here. Starks possesses elite speed and natural ball skills that Cleveland simply doesn’t have on the back end right now.
19. Los Angeles Rams, QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
Stafford is aging, and Garoppolo is a journeyman at this point in his career. The Rams may not be thinking QB-first in this draft but can’t pass on Ewers if he falls to them.
Ewers has a big arm with some serious feel for the game. Ewers led the Longhorns to the CFP with a marquee win over Alabama and an impressive 22-6 TD-INT ratio and 69% completion percentage. Los Angeles could pass on QB altogether with the hopes of nabbing one in Round 2 – look at JT Tuimoloau here if they do.
20. New York Jets: S Sonny Styles, Ohio State
A glaring need at Safety forces the Jets hand here. Their defense is stellar but needs protection over the top. Styles is not getting a ton of first round buzz right now but expect that to change over the season. He has fluid hips in coverage and gets his head around nicely to play the ball and avoid flags.
21. Miami Dolphins: EDGE/DE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Often projected as a top-5 pick, Tuimoloau needs to be much more productive. His size is prototypical, and he shows outstanding burst while routinely finishing plays. Miami will be happy if he falls this far.
22. Green Bay Packers: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
The Packers have not addressed their need to find a solution on the outside opposite Jaire Alexander. Morrison is a true ballhawk with nine interceptions over two seasons. He is known for his soft hands and instincts in coverage while also reliable as a tackler.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Abdul Carter, Penn St
Tampa will be sore to miss Morrison right in front of them, but they turn to the hole likely to be left by Lavonte David’s impending retirement. David signed another one-year contract this offseason and likely won’t be back in 2025. Carter is another one of those players that really could go earlier but won’t make it past Tampa. A downhill defender with excellent eyes, Carter can reach passers in a hurry and possesses above-average ball skills.
24. Houston Texans: CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Houston will have a high-flying offense but needs some talent in the defensive backfield after some young guys have underperformed their expectations. Burke fits the bill with a tall frame, long arms, and fluid hips.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Tacario Davis, Arizona
With one of the most complete rosters in the NFL (if you believe in Jalen Hurts that is), the Eagles will be looking for the best player available that is not a WR – Tacario Davis. Davis is massive for a CB and plays aggressive at the line. Philadelphia would love to pair him on the outside opposite Darius Slay.
26. Buffalo Bills: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
The Bills are hurting for weapons for Allen to throw to. McMillan is a Drake London-esque outside receiver with a big frame (6-foot-5 214 pounds). Showcasing violent hands at the line of scrimmage and an ability to go up and get the ball, McMillan will fit in just fine with Allen in this offense.
27. Dallas Cowboys: RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
There’s no way around it – the Cowboys need a RB. They may sign one in FA, but they need another long-term answer. They’ll get their guy in Gordon. Gordon absolutely balled out in 2023 with 1,732 yards sporting a 6.1 YPC. He has a nose for the end zone with 21 TDs last season and even showed some ability in the passing game. No-brainer.
Meanwhile, I would really like to see Cowboys move on from Prescott and find a way to draft Sanders. That would make for some really fun to watch football in Dallas.
28. Detroit Lions: ILB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
The NFL increasingly values speed. Mondon Jr. has elite speed for an ILB and often arrives at the same time as the ball in coverage. His ability to get sideline-to-sideline makes him a true missile across the field. The Lions take a look at WR Evan Stewart from Oregon here as well.
29. Baltimore Ravens: OT Emery Jones, LSU
The Ravens did not put much into reinvesting in their OL after some key departures. Jones plays with solid leverage, has long arms, and showcases heavy hands that he uses effectively in pass protection.
30. Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE/DE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
This pick could go so many ways, but only one player fits the value here – Sawyer. Ultimately, it looks like Cincinnati may be without Hendrickson and/or Ossai after this season, so look for them to go EDGE/DE. Sawyer has an explosive first step and is an excellent bull rusher than occasionally showcases nimble feet.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon
The Chiefs might look at Judkins here, but ultimately, they did not fulfill their need at CB this offseason. Muhammad plays low and keeps receivers in front of him. He brings much needed lateral capability to this defensive backfield.
32. San Francisco 49ers: DL Walter Nolen, Mississippi
What does the super bowl champion want/need? Success in the NFL starts with the trenches. Nolen was one of the most coveted transfer targets in college this offseason for a reason. Nolen showcases fluid movement off the ball with a propensity to never get stood up or become a non-factor.
