2025 NFL two round mock draft: Information on and off the field at the Senior and Shrine Bowls gave some clarity for how the top of the draft might go
The first big domino of the draft cycle has now fallen, with the Senior and Shrine bowls concluding last week.
The on-field
workouts and opportunity for the prospects to meet with reps from all 32 teams is an invaluable experience. For those in attendance, you are able to get an up-close look at how some of the best players in the class stack up against each other. Another valuable part of these events, though, is the fact that for a few days, general managers, head coaches, and top agents in the NFL world are all in one spot, so if you have contacts around the league, it’s a great time to hear what’s being said about this class through the grapevine.
So, using what I learned during my week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, I feel it is the right time to release my newest mock draft. In it, I share how I think the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft would go if they began today.
2025 NFL 2 round mock draft
Round 1:
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
I know that ever since the Titans said they wouldn’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick, the popular approach has been for them to pass on a quarterback in mock drafts. However, the drop-offs from Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders in this class is viewed. tobe large by many. I wouldn’t be shocked if they passed on QB in this class if they didn’t use their first pick on one. If they choose to take a non-QB, though, I think a trade-back would come first. Instead of that approach, I have them stay put and take my top QB in the class in Ward.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
The Browns are another team that needs a quarterback, but the recent news of Myles Garrett requesting a trade adds a new wrinkle to their plans. Many around the league think Penn State’s Abdul Carter is the best overall player in the class. And if the Browns lose Garrett, they will be desperate to add a difference-maker on the line. I also think there’s a real possibility that the rookie QBs in this class might prefer not to land in Cleveland, which could force their hand here to take the best player available or trade out of the pick altogether.
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Giants and Shedeur Sanders have seemed like a great fit for quite some time. If they had owned the top pick, I probably still would have had them taking Sanders. Pairing Malik Nabers with a QB as accurate as Sanders could lead to a great connection early in their careers and could be just what the doctor ordered to save head coach Brain Daboll’s job.
4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Many believe the worst-kept secret around the NFL is that the Patriots’ plan A in the draft is to land Colorado wide receiver and corner Travis Hunter. Teams that also covet the two-way phenom could even look to trade up above them.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Jaguars are an interesting team to mock because it seems like they could go so many different directions with this pick. I landed on Michigan’s Mason Graham, who could come in day one and not only start at DT but be a difference-maker on their defense.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Raiders would have loved for Ward or Sanders to be available here, but with them gone, they continue to add weapons for whoever ends up being their QB of the future, whether it’s later in this class or another draft. I have them selecting Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, whose 6’5″ frame and big play ability would pair well with their dynamic TE Brock Bowers.
7. New York Jets: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
A new era has begun for the Jets, with Aaron Glenn taking over as head coach. There will be some key free agency decisions to make this offseason, but giving a secondary specialist like Glenn a corner of Will Johnson‘s caliber seems like a great welcome back to New York gift from the team.
8. Carolina Panthers: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
This one might seem like a shocker to some, but I have the Panthers taking Marshall edge rusher Mike Green in the top ten and as the second edge rusher off the board. Before the Senior Bowl, Green was already projected to be a first-round pick, even with some questions about the level of play he faced at Marshall. His dominance at the Senior Bowl made those questions vanish, and I think his draft stock could rise drastically as a result.
9. New Orleans Saints: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Saints could reach on a QB here or even target an offensive weapon, but the best player available also happens to be someone who they didn’t have to travel far to watch in college. LSU’s Will Campbell is viewed to be the consensus top offensive lineman in this year’s class. And while the Saints are stuck with Derek Carr this pick could help them keep him healthy and give them the best chance at competing in their division while they wait for their QB of the future.
10. Chicago Bears: Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri
The position the Bears target here won’t shock people, but the player might. I have them going Armand Membou over Kelvin Banks Jr.. Membou’s ability to compete at tackle and guard would give the team more flexibility to build the best offensive line they can for year one of Ben Johnson’s offense.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Texas’ Banks Jr. doesn’t have to wait long after being passed over by the Bears, with the 49ers having a need at tackle. Trent Williams’ injury this year showed them they need to have an answer for when he chooses to hang up his cleats, and they need it sooner rather than later. Banks Jr. would be an option to start opposite Williams in the short term, with the upside to be the left tackle of the future in the long term.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
If Ashton Jeanty is on the board, it’s hard not to lock him in as the pick for the Cowboys. They need to find a consistent contributor to lead their run game, and Jeanty is coming off one of the most impressive college seasons we’ve ever seen from a running back.
13. Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Dolphins may lose Jevon Holland in free agency if his price tag gets too high. Luckily for them, Georiga safety Malaki Starks is viewed as a day-one starter in the NFL and can do a lot of the things Holland did well in their defense.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Colts got little to no production from their tight end room this past year. Which is not a recipe for success for any young quarterback. Anthony Richardson is entering a make-or-break year for his young career, and the Colts giving him a do-it-all TE like Penn State’s Tyler Warren would help his chances.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
The Falcons desperately need to find a reliable pass rusher this offseason. Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart is coming off a dominant week at the Senior Bowl where he showed he can rush the passer despite his lack of sacks in college. Some around the league think he might have even played his way into the top ten, but if he’s on the board for the Falcons, I think he would be a great fit.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Cardinals had their fair share of ups and downs in 2024. To make sure they see more of the ups and less of the downs in 2025, they need to do all they can to protect Kyler Murray. Ohio State’s Josh Simmons was having a great season before an injury ended his season and would be a day-one starter on the Cardinals offensive line.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: James Pearce, Edge, Tennessee
The Bengals have a lot of questions they need to answer heading into the offseason. The fates of Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson are at the top of the list. Their plan for this pick could change depending on who stays and who goes. If you asked me today, I think they find a way to keep Higgins around, even if it means moving Hendrickson to open up the cap to do so. And if they go that route, landing Tennessee’s James Pearce, who was once considered an option to be the number one overall pick in this class, would make sense.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Jalon Walker, Edge/LB, Georgia
Georgia’s Jalon Walker is a unique player who has the ability to put his hands on the ground and rush the passer, as well as being a solid off-ball linebacker. For the Seahawks, I think they would value his pass-rush ability and make him an edge rusher, but being able to drop players off the line back in coverage can create a lot of confusion for QBs.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mykal Williams, Edge, Georgia
The Buccaneer’s defense haven’t been able to find a solid replacement for Shaquil Barrett on their line. They even brought him back near the end of the last season to try and replicate the success. So, targeting another edge rusher here might be their best bet. Georiga’s Mykal Williams is viewed by some to be a top 10-15 player in the class and would be a solid run defender while he continues to develop his pass-rush skills.
20. Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Broncos were one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season, as they ended up in the playoffs after a great rookie season from Bo Nix. Now, they need to support their QB and give him more viable weapons. Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka has proven to be a fantastic number two WR and would fit well next to Courtland Sutton on the outside.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Back-to-back WRs come off the board here with the Steelers giving George Pickens a new partner in crime with Missouri’s Luther Burden III. If Burden III were entering the NFL after his 2023 season, he probably wouldn’t get out of the top 10. But Missouri’s offense taking a step back in 2024 can play in the Steelers’ favor as they land a WR whose skill set perfectly complements Pickens’.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Two RBs off the board in the first may shock some people, but I think North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton has more fans around the league than many realize. Jim Harbaugh’s offense is at its best when the run game is a key factor, and Hampton projects as a true three-down back who could be the bell cow in Los Angeles.
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