2025 NFL Mock Draft – Joe DeLeone Makes His Picks for the 1st Round!

I have our 2025 NFL Mock Draft for you! After what feels like an eternity, we’ve finally reached the week of the draft. There is so much speculation on how many quarterbacks will be picked in the first round, which offensive linemen will go in the top 10, and which defensive players will become future stars. Here is how I believe the first round could shake out this Thursday in my NFL Mock Draft for 2025!

Joe’s NFL Mock Draft for 2025

1. Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward, QB, Miami

We’ve all known this would be Tennessee’s pick since the NFL Combine. NFL draft odds have Ward as a massive favorite to go first. There’s no point in being a hack to try to be different. Cam Ward brings an exciting future with tremendous playmaking ability if Tennessee can effectively build around him. He’s an easy #1 pick in this NFL mock draft in the 1^st round.

2. Cleveland Browns — Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The Browns’ roster has so many holes that need to be addressed, so why not pick the guy who can address two? Hunter is the best receiver and cornerback prospect in the class. The Browns can have a dynamic weapon alongside Jerry Jeudy and a shutdown corner on the outside on their defense.

3. New York Giants — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

We’ve reached the peak of speculation about how far Sanders could fall during this draft. Despite all the rumors, one constant remains true: Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll need to buy themselves more time. The best way for any head coach and GM to earn another season is by having a young and promising QB to build around. Sanders will be the second signal-caller to go in my NFL mock draft predictions.

4. New England Patriots — Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

This is a dream situation for New England. They can wait patiently for the best prospect in the class to fall right into their hands. If needs weren’t in the equation, the Penn State edge rusher might be the top pick in this NFL rookie mock draft. Carter’s explosiveness and power make him an immediate impact rookie for a team that needs a premier pass rusher.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

While drafting an offensive prospect at this spot makes sense, the Jaguars just can’t pass up on Graham’s potential. There’s been a heavy investment in the Jaguars’ pass rush for multiple years, but they need a disruptive force on the inside to round out the unit. Graham’s pad level and burst are enough to command the attention of multiple offensive linemen on every snap.

6. Las Vegas Raiders — Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

Drafting Ashton Jeanty would be exciting, but the Raiders’ most practical move would be to boost their offensive line instead. The Raiders just brought in Geno Smith and gave him an expensive extension. Membou’s athleticism makes him a moldable prospect who can play multiple roles along the offensive line.

7. New York Jets — Will Campbell, OL, LSU

Campbell is the most technically refined and nuanced blocker in this class. For some time now, the Jets’ offensive line has desperately lacked the consistency that Campbell would bring to the group.

8. Carolina Panthers — Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia

Since trading Brian Burns, the Panthers’ pass rush has been nonexistent. Walker flashed extremely quick feet to evade blockers in his most productive season at Georgia. If he makes a full-time transition to rushing the passer, Walker can become a menace off the edge for Carolina, and he’s a top-10 pick in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft.

9. New Orleans Saints — Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

The entire NFC South seemingly lacks pass-rushing talent. The Saints don’t need to stand by and watch the rest of the conference load up. Instead, they can nab the high-upside Stewart, who has freakish explosiveness and a ton of potential. Stewart would be a sneaky good pick in any NFL draft contests you enter.

10. Chicago Bears — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

This feels like the most perfect pick in the draft if it were to come to fruition. Ben Johnson is taking over a promising young core in Chicago with an improved offensive line. The way he can start his era with a bang is having a home run threat in Jeanty to scheme creative ways to wreak havoc in the NFC North.

11. San Francisco 49ers — Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas

Paying Brock Purdy is an important priority for the 49ers. As their salary cap will shrink with so much money committed to Purdy, drafting offensive line talent early to protect him needs to be prioritized. Banks generates force easily with a powerful anchor, and has the flexibility to play guard or tackle, depending on need.

12. Dallas Cowboys — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Ceedee Lamb needs a running mate if the Cowboys’ offense is going to be a threat in 2025. McMillan has the physical play style to win in contested one-on-one battles when attention is directed towards Lamb.

13. Miami Dolphins — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Now that the Dolphins are actively looking to trade veteran Jalen Ramsey, they badly require a new starting outside cornerback. Johnson’s stock has cooled during this cycle, but his potential to be a shutdown corner and consistent Pro Bowler is still there. Johnson is still an NFL mock draft 1^st round pick.

14. Indianapolis Colts — Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Warren falling this far feels unlikely, but if the Colts had the chance to grab one of the few electric offensive weapons in the class, they can’t pass it up. Quarterback Anthony Richardson requires a better supporting cast to reach his potential, and Warren’s reliability over the middle will provide him with a security blanket on every passing play.

15. Atlanta Falcons — James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Is this the year the Falcons finally draft a game-changing defensive end to improve their underwhelming pass rush? If it is, Pearce is the best candidate here in my NFL mock draft predictions because of his bend and burst to shake offensive linemen.

16. Arizona Cardinals — Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

Is this the year the Falcons finally draft a game-changing defensive end to improve their underwhelming pass rush? If it is, Pearce is the best candidate here in my NFL mock draft predictions because of his bend and burst to shake offensive linemen.

17. Cincinnati Bengals — Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

All the Bengals’ picks in this draft should be dedicated to defensive prospects. Between Sam Hubbard’s retirement and Trey Hendrickson’s trade request, Cincinnati cannot overthink this. Williams has the floor to be a great run defender and the upside to become a twitchy pass rusher, as well.

18. Seattle Seahawks — Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama

Seattle completely reshaped its future this offseason by swapping Geno Smith for a younger Sam Darnold at quarterback. Protecting Darnold is now paramount after allowing 54 sacks in 2024. Booker is the best pass-protecting guard in the class and would immediately address that concern.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

The Buccaneers gave up the third-most total yards in the NFL last season. It’s safe to say they need to get more explosive on defense. Campbell’s rare athletic tools are not only ideal for him to fly all over the field making tackles, but also for him to be utilized as a headache-inducing blitzer.

20. Denver Broncos — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Denver’s defense paved the way for a trip to the playoffs in 2024. Now it’s time for Bo Nix to take the next step, and the offense reaches its potential. Loveland can be a vertical threat for Nix to target over the middle of the field. This makes the Wolverines’ receiver to go here in my NFL Mock Draft in 2025.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Steelers’ defensive line needs more younger faces. Oregon’s versatile Harmon can align all over their defensive front as a 0-tech or 5-tech, depending on what needs to be addressed first. Harmon could go in a lot of places in my NFL mock draft for the 1^st round, but I’ve got him heading to the “Steel City”.

22. Los Angeles Chargers — Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Quentin Johnston hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype since being selected in the first round a few years ago. While there’s still time for him to blossom, the Chargers need results for their passing game to take the next step now. Golden is the ideal candidate to start on the outside while Ladd McConkey dominates over the middle.

23. Green Bay Packers — Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Barron just feels like a Green Bay Packer. His coverage skills, tackling consistency, and overall instincts are perfect for playing in a division with potent offenses.

24. Minnesota Vikings — Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Harrison Smith’s decorated career is likely coming to an end soon. What better way to replace him than with a safety who had the most historic testing performance at the NFL Combine this year?

25. Houston Texans — Josh Simmons, OL, Ohio State

After massive shakeups along the offensive line, the Texans need to come out of this draft with an early pick going to a tackle or guard. The 54 sacks this team allowed in 2024 are the clearest area of concern. Simmons is the smoothest tackle prospect in the class and can be a long-time starter in Houston.

26. Los Angeles Rams — Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

LA’s young defensive core shocked the NFL with how quickly it was ready to compete with top teams. They now need a reliable coverage player to join their secondary to play behind their disruptive defensive line. Starks’ impact will be felt every game with this promising support cast around him, and that’s why I have him heading to the Ramps in my NFL rookie mock draft.

27. Baltimore Ravens — Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Kyle Van Noy was fantastic last year for the Ravens, but they need to look ahead for an eventual replacement for the 34-year-old defender. Green had the active hands and the bend to become a productive pass rusher on this defense.

28. Detroit Lions — Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Adding more bulk in the interior to free up Aidan Hutchinson should be an important focus for the Lions during this draft. Williams isn’t your typical space-eater, as he flashes the disruption to split double teams and attack quarterbacks.

29. Washington Commanders — Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State

Building around Jayden Daniels was a clear focus this offseason, as they traded for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel. Bolstering the protection around Daniels will only help this team go from young and exciting to consistently dominant. Zabel is the right candidate, and a solid pick in this 2025 NFL mock draft.

30. Buffalo Bills — Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

The Bills must find a new outside corner to start opposite Christian Benford since trading away Kaiir Elam. Hairston has lightning-quick speed and can immediately close down gaps between him and receivers.

31. Kansas City Chiefs — Josh Conerly Jr., OL, Oregon

The Chiefs’ performance in the Super Bowl proved they need to invest more heavily in improving their offensive line. Once a highly sought-after recruit, Conerly has the tools to become a quality starting tackle in the NFL.

32. Philadelphia Eagles — Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Josh Sweat leaving this offseason isn’t a debilitating loss, but the Eagles should look for a pass-rushing specialist to replace him in this class. Ezeiruaku has the speed and hand fighting technique to become productive among their already talented defensive unit. The Boston College edge rusher is my final pick in this NFL mock draft for 2025.