NFL Mock Draft 1.0 | Pre-Free Agency

Published On: March 6, 2025By 7.4 min read1401 wordsTags:
Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn St.)

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) against the Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

The 2025 NFL Draft is seven weeks away, and it’s time for our inaugural mock.

NFL Mock Draft 1.0 | Pre-Free Agency

The projected draft order could change drastically after next week’s free agency bonanza, but here’s a crack at how it all may turn out in the meantime.

“Best player available” and team need were equitably balanced for this exercise, and no trades were utilized.

1. Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward (QB) | Miami

Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) warms up prior to the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

The Titans won’t overthink this one. They’ll choose Ward as their quarterback of the future, and that’ll be that.

It’s worth noting that Tennessee sounds open to a trade at this spot, so monitor the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders.

2. Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders (QB) | Colorado

The Browns remove some of the stink of the Deshaun Watson era, and Cleveland swipes Sanders at No. 2, though this feels like a spot where Sanders will eventually become disgruntled.

3. New York Giants

Abdul Carter (EDGE) | Penn State

The Giants get terribly affluent at EDGE, selecting Carter to join Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on Sundays.

4. New England Patriots

Travis Hunter (CB) | Colorado

It’s unclear if the Patriots will use Hunter at wide receiver or cornerback, but New England needs one of each, so Hunter lands with Drake Maye and friends.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Mason Graham (DT) | Michigan

A sheer best player available pick, Liam Coen adds a defensive piece in his first draft, and Graham will hold down the guts of the Jaguars’ defensive line for the next five years.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Ashton Jeanty (RB) | Boise State

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) reacts after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Las Vegas will sign Sam Darnold next week, add a wideout like Chris Godwin or Stefon Diggs, and draft Jeanty on April 24. Those tools will then pair with tight end Brock Bowers, and to an extent, the Raiders will cook with gas.

7. New York Jets

Will Campbell (OT) | LSU

The Jets ranked 23rd per pass-block win rate and 29th in run-block win rate, so they fix the trenches with this beast from LSU.

8. Carolina Panthers

Jalon Walker (EDGE) | Georgia

Elderly Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum are the Panthers’ current EDGE rushers. A defender like Walker is a no-brainer here.

9. New Orleans Saints

Tetairoa McMillan (WR) | Arizona

To ensure Derek Carr has all the tools he needs for 2025 and to get the Kellen Moore era off to a sweet start, the Saints choose wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian over an offensive tackle, which will also hedge the bet against Chris Olave’s recent injury history.

10. Chicago Bears

Kelvin Banks (OT) | Texas

Chicago has already addressed the offensive line with a couple of splashy trades this offseason. Banks at OT is next.

11. San Francisco 49ers

Will Johnson (CB) | Michigan

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates a touchdown after intercepting USC quarterback Miller Moss during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Johnson is on the way to San Francisco to replace Charvarius Ward, who will sign with a new team on Monday.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Luther Burden (WR) | Missouri

Disappointed that Ashton Jeanty didn’t fall, the Cowboys target offense regardless, and Burden excites Cowboys nation because that’s what he does.

13. Miami Dolphins

Armand Membou (OT) | Missouri
Miami ranked 28th per pass-block win rate; the trenches are the obvious selection for the Dolphins, and Membou will do the trick.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren (TE) | Penn State

This might be the most obvious draft pick thus far, totally building out the Colts’ offense with the best TE prospect in the draft.

15. Atlanta Falcons

Mykel Williams (EDGE) | Georgia
The Falcons should’ve drafted Dallas Turner last year and get it right this go-round with Williams from Georgia. It will be astonishing if Atlanta does not choose an EDGE this time. They just have to.

16. Arizona Cardinals

Shemar Stewart (EDGE) | Texas A&M
NFL Mock Draft

Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (4) shows off his gold grill smile after the Aggies defeat the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.

The Cardinals were the league’s fifth-worst squad via pass rush win rate. Stewart will be on the way to address an Arizona defense that just needs pass-rushing beef.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Green (EDGE) | Marshall

Trey Hendrickson out via trade. Mike Green in via draft. Book it.

18. Seattle Seahawks

Josh Simmons (OT) | Ohio St

Wide receiver is a tempting need here, and Emeka Egbuka could be the selection, but let’s roll with Simmons to replace Abraham Lucas.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jihaad Cambpell (ILB) | Alabama

Campbell just feels like a “Buccaneers pick” for some reason, and he’ll replace Lavonte David.

20. Denver Broncos

Colston Loveland (TE) | Michigan

Similar to the Colts’ choice with Warren, the Broncos can’t resist Loveland to grant Bo Nix another weapon.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Walter Nolen (DT) | Ole Miss

Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Walter Nolen (2) waits for the snap during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images.

Pittsburgh will look around the board for best defensive player available — a very Steelers thing — and that man will be Nolen.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Kenneth Grant (DT) | Michigan

Jim Harbaugh fires up the reunion angle at pick No. 22, attaching a Wolverine to his NFL roster.

23. Green Bay Packers

Jahdae Barron (CB) | Texas

Jaire Alexander will find a new employer soon. His replacement? Barron of Texas.

24. Minnesota Vikings

Derrick Harmon (DT) | Oregon

Minnesota hasn’t employed an impactful three-technique DT since Kevin Williams — 12 years ago. It’s time, and Harmon is a scheme fit for Brian Flores.

25. Houston Texans

Emeka Egbuka (WR) | Ohio State

Tank Dell won’t play in 2025, but Egbuka will, and C.J. Stroud will be rather happy about this selection.

26. Los Angeles Rams

Tyler Booker (iOL) | Alabama

At No. 26, this will be a BPA pick, and Booker is precisely that, in general, and for the Rams’ long-term roster planning.

27. Baltimore Ravens

Grey Zabel (iOL) | North Dakota State

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Dakota State University offensive lineman Grey Zabel (OL50) answers questions at a press conference during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images.

Patrick Mekari will probably leave in free agency, and the Ravens will need a switcharoo. Zabel is about as versatile as it gets for a premium rookie lineman.

28. Detroit Lions

James Pearce Jr. (EDGE) | Tennessee

Last year, the Lions lacked a serious pass rush when Aidan Hutchinson was lost for the season, instead relying on veterans like Za’Darius Smith. Pearce Jr. becomes a Lion in this spot after a draft-night slide.

29. Washington Commanders

Matthew Golden (WR) | Texas

Washington will showcase Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, and Matthew Golden after this pick, to which Commanders fans will say, “Yes, please.”

30. Buffalo Bills

Malaki Starks (S) | Georgia

Taylor Rapp has played pretty mediocre as a Bill, and Damar Hamlin is a free agent. The first safety off the board heads to Buffalo.

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Donovan Jackson (iOL) | Ohio State

Out? Joe Thuney — an expensive, aging veteran. In? Donovan Jackson — an affordable rookie.

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Nic Scourton (EDGE) | Texas A&M

Oct 5, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton (11) reacts after sacking Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (not pictured) in the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

The annual “we don’t have any true roster needs, but we have to pick somebody” spot of the draft, a yearly Philadelphia tradition, the Eagles nab Scourton following a disappointing season from free-agent newcomer Bryce Huff in 2024.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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