NFL mock draft 2025: New No. 1 pick to Titans shapes post-Super Bowl projection

The confetti has finally come off the field in New Orleans, and as the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate a Super Bowl victory, it’s time to pivot to the NFL Draft. 31 other teams will be chasing the Eagles next year, and it starts with the draft. This version of the draft tries something a bit different at the top, starting with the Tennessee Titans. Titans’ president of football operations Chad Brinker told reporters that the team wouldn’t pass on a “generational talent” at the top of the draft because of a QB need. While that could be a smokescreen to get other teams to trade up, what if they’re actually being serious? To me, there are only two “generational talents” at the top of this draft: Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter and CB/WR Travis Hunter. In this mock draft, we take Brinker’s words to heart, and build the first round with that knowledge in hand.

The order was built using Tankathon.

1 . Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Why Carter here over Travis Hunter? Well, the roster construction up front for the Titans is really poor right now. EDGE Harold Landry III has a contract out after this offseason and the Titans’ pass rush outside of DT Jeffrey Simmons has been…poor to say the least. While the Titans met with QB Shedeur Sanders at the Shrine Bowl, I’m giving them Carter, a dynamic pass rusher who will immediately boost their defensive front.

2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

I’m sure if the Colorado signal caller gets to this point the Raiders will try and move heaven and Earth for him, but the Browns don’t budge and take him here. Sanders has been picked over with a fine tooth comb this year, but he’s a quality passer who throws with timing and anticipation, a good fit for Kevin Stefanski’s offense.

3. New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Perhaps the perfect player to team fit, Brian Daboll finally gets his QB in Ward. I have some reservations about his reckless play at times, but his flair for the off-platform throw can be honed with Daboll’s tutelage.

4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, New England Patriots

Can you imagine a secondary of Christian Gonzalez and Hunter? Yeah man sign me up. Hunter’s rare ball skills and instincts make him too good to pass up on here for New England, with the potential to be an instant-impact DB. Oh, and he can play snaps at receiver too!

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Jaguars could pick either Michigan standout defender here and it would make a lot of sense, but with the depth of the defensive tackle class, I lean Johnson here. Johnson’s ball skills and stickiness in man coverage are a perfect complement with CB Tyson Campbell, and it could be the missing piece for a Jags defense that has talent.

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

Yes, I know it’s a RB in the first round. No, I really don’t care. Jeanty’s contact balance, vision and chops as a receiver make him the best RB in this class, and a fit for most offenses in the NFL. With Chip Kelly running the offense in Vegas, I think Jeanty is a great fit for what he wants to run and without the top two QBs on the board, it makes a lot of sense.

7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

So, Aaron Rodgers is probably not returning to Metlife as a member of the Jets in 2025. While that muddies the waters for the Jets, I think they’re in a spot to go best player available, and Graham is it. He’s got nasty lateral quickness and a motor that’s on fire, which makes him a great fit next to Quinnen Williams.

8. Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

While the Panthers need defensive help almost everywhere, I’m giving them the big-bodied receiver Bryce Young needs. McMillan is a more slippery receiver after the catch than he gets credit for, and is very similar to Atlanta’s Drake London in the way he wins. McMillan allows for everyone else on the roster to have more specific roles as well, an immediate lift.

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

It remains to be seen who the Saints hire as their head coach (Kellen Moore seems like the favorite), but whoever takes the job has to give New Orleans some more youth on both sides of the ball. Stewart is a wrecking ball prospect, whose pressure numbers are much better than his raw statistics.

10. Chicago Bears: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

With Bears’ HC Ben Johnson bringing Dennis Allen in as his defensive coordinator, big long and tall EDGEs are on the menu for the Bears. Williams is one of the best run defenders at the position in this draft class, and can be a gamewrecker on stunts and loops. The pass rush plan is still coming along, but he fits exactly what the Bears like.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

I’m normally not a big fan of drafting left tackles to play on the right side, but I make an exception here. Simmons has experience at right tackle, and is the best pure offensive tackle in this draft class. His light feet and ability to mirror in pass protection are going to be an instant upgrade at right tackle, and potentially provide the succession plan once LT Trent Williams hangs it up.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Two straight Buckeyes, as Egbuka goes to Dallas in my mock. Egbuka is such a refined route runner and willing blocker, making him the perfect WR2 in any offense. Dallas has been looking for a consistent guy next to CeeDee Lamb for a long time now, and Egbuka gives them the playmaking they need.

13. Miami Dolphins: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

I don’t think the Dolphins draft an offensive lineman here, but they’ll happily scoop up one of the best players in this draft class. Warren is a monster of a tight end, with a wide catch radius and ability to do the dirty work as a blocker. With the Dolphins trying to transition into a more physical era of their offense, Warren makes a lot of sense.

14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

With how the NFL values safeties, I could see Starks sliding a bit. However, Indy scoops him up here at 14. Julian Blackmon is an upcoming free agent, and the Colts’ secondary was piss poor. Starks is a do-it-all type of defender, something Anarumo will value on the back end.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

The Falcons need…well…anyone to help boost their pass rush. Green is a juiced up pass rusher who is improving against the run, and his ability to win with burst and bend around the corner would be massive for a team that doesn’t really have that on the roster right now.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

While Harmon is still a growing pass rusher, his length and strength in the run game are a math-changer up front. The Cardinals were way too light up the spine of their defense this season, so adding Harmon to that defense would give them some needed size and ferocity against the run.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Al Golden takes over as DC of the Bengals, but it’s still relatively unknown what body types he wants at his EDGE spots. Regardless, the Bengals need someone with some juice opposite Trey Hendrickson, and Pearce provides that, albeit inconsistently.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Will Campbell, OL, LSU

The Seahawks don’t normally take guards in the first round, but with Klint Kubiak bringing a Shanahan-style offense to Seattle, shoring up the offensive line has to be priority number one. Campbell falls down the board due to arm length in this mock, but his core strength and agility make him a plug and play guard.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

I LOVE Jalon Walker, but I think his lack of a true position might hurt him when it comes draft day. However, the idea of Todd Bowles designing fancy pressure looks for Walker both on the edge and as a stack LB keep me going.

20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

I keep mocking Loveland to the Broncos because it makes too much sense. With Loveland’s ability to separate as a receiver, he helps tie the intermediate areas of the field together while being an effort blocker. The Broncos need another weapon for QB Bo Nix, and Loveland fills a major gap.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

The Steelers might be linked to literally every receiver this offseason, and for good reason. Outside of George Pickens they have no credible threat on the outside, and including George Pickens they have no trustworthy threat on the outside. Golden has great body control and hands, while providing nice separation at the second level of the defense.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Poona Ford and Te’air Tart are both set to hit free agency this offseason, and the Chargers could want to get younger there. Grant not only played for Harbaugh at Michigan, but his defensive coordinator and defensive line coach are all in LA, and I think a reunion could be coming. Grant’s mindblowing athleticism helps him against the run and pass, and once he irons out some consistency issues, he could be a force.

23. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

The Packers need to seriously consider adding to their secondary, especially with Jaire Alexander’s injury issues continuing. Yes, Revel is coming off an injury, but his length and speed should keep him in the back part of the first round.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Brian Flores loves freak athletes on his defense, and Campbell fits the bill at LB. I mean, how many MIKE LBs in college do you see carrying the post from the second receiver in Tampa 2? Pairing Campbell with Blake Cashman would allow LB Ivan Pace to be used in a more specific role and give the Vikings a true three-down LB.

25. Houston Texans: Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas

Banks’ slide is very similar to Campbell’s before him, college tackles who might profile more as guards due to arm length, resulting in a slide down the board. However, the slide ends in Houston, where their poor interior offensive line play characterized their entire season. Banks is a smooth mover in space and wants to finish blocks, giving him a nasty that the Texans need.

26. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

Joe Noteboom and Alaric Jackson are both impending free agents and QB Matthew Stafford was hit a ton this season, making tackle instantly a position of need in LA. Conerly’s play strength concerns me a bit, but he’s a tailor-made zone tackle.

27. Baltimore Ravens: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

You know what’s better than one freak safety on the back end? How about TWO freak safeties on the back end! Emmanwori is going to dominate the combine, and his explosive athleticism shows up on tape, where he flies downhill to finish tackles or cuts off half the field. This would allow Kyle Hamilton to go back to his nickel spot if the Ravens wanted him, or give Baltimore two velociraptors on the back end.

28. Detroit Lions: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

The Lions have a sneaky need up front, with their offensive line beginning to age. Membou’s movement skills and ability to mirror in pass protection could make him a nice guard, with the plan to move him out to tackle once Taylor Decker is no longer on the team.

29. Washington Commanders: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

This is the dream scenario for Washington, who don’t have to move up and get a player tailor made for their offense. Burden might be a slot-only receiver, but his strength after the catch and explosive ability with the ball in his hands make him a great fit for the Commanders’ offense.

30. Buffalo Bills: Tyliek Williams, DT, Ohio State

Williams sneaks into the back end of the first round to the Bills here because he’s a dominant run defender. His strength is in eating blocks as a 1T or 3T and causing chaos up front. The Bills are still very small in the front seven and had issues defending the run this year, so adding Williams gives them a chance to shore up some of those holes up front.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

After their Super Bowl loss, I could see them getting aggressive for more help up front to protect QB Patrick Mahomes, but another problem for them was their inability to generate pressure without sending pressure. Scourton has to get back to a better playing weight, but when he’s slimmer he’s a terror off the edge.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

The defending champions add once again to their defense with Nolen, who can be a frustrating player at times. He’s a force as a pass rusher, with explosive movements all over the tape, but run defense might be a bit more of a suggestion at this point. Getting him to Philly to replace DT Milton Williams would be his best case scenario, where he doesn’t have to play the run early and can rush the passer from the interior.