The 2024-25 NFL season is now in the rearview, and the NFL world turns its focus toward the NFL Draft. Here is a look at my pre-combine 2025 first-round NFL Mock Draft 4.0 and some related draft props at DraftKings Sportsbook.
You can view my 2025 NFL Mock Draft 3.0 here.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Cam Ward is the consensus QB1 in this draft class, and he has the best odds of being taken No. 1 overall at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Titans are one of the only teams toward the top of the draft that have not made a move for a veteran quarterback this offseason, further indicating that they are bringing in Cam Ward.
2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Browns have also not brought in a quarterback who would be a great choice as a Week 1 starter. It has become clear that the DeShaun Watson era is a flop and it could be time to cut their losses and move on. After bringing back Myles Garrett, they should opt to focus on offense in the draft and take their quarterback of the future.
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
After signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, the Giants could be out of the quarterback market. That allows them to take arguably the most talented player on the board, Abdul Carter. The Giants need a high-level pass rusher and Carter could be the next Michael Strahan in New York.
4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Patriots have been aggressive this offseason, building up their roster around Drake Maye for their new head coach, Mike Vrabel. They have signed Stefon Diggs and if they can add Travis Hunter, Drake Maye would really have a great collection of weapons to work with. Vrabel was known to play both offense and defense in his career, so he could be the perfect coach to manage Hunter’s transition to the NFL.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The Jaguars have started a new era with Liam Coen as their new head coach. He is going to rebuild the offense around Trevor Lawrence, but they really need help on defense. They had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season and Mason Graham could be the key to that rebuild. Graham can stuff the run and get after the quarterback, making him the perfect cornerstone of this defense.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Drafting running backs has become a taboo topic, but Jeanty is a generational talent. Saquon Barkley proved that you can win a Super Bowl with a running back as your best offensive player. The Raiders added an incredible skill-position player, Brock Bowers, in the draft last year and they could get another one with Jeanty. After adding a veteran quarterback in Geno Smith this offseason, they could have a great offense with Bowers and Jeanty.
7. New York Jets: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The Jets had one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2022-23 and 2023-24. However, last season, they took a massive step back. After adding Justin Fields as a stopgap in their quarterback room, they need to rebuild that defense and it starts with getting a great EDGE. The Haason Reddick experiment was a disaster last season, but Jalon Walker could be the guy in New York for the next few years. He is a high-level athlete that Aaron Glenn could coach into a superstar.
8. Carolina Panthers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Panthers’ offense is heading in the right direction under Dave Canales, but they still have major issues in the secondary. The incredibly experienced and talented Will Johnson could come in right away to play across from Jaycee Horn and make this a legit secondary.
9. New Orleans Saints: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Saints had terrible offensive line play last season. They need to improve there before they worry about anything else and Membou has flown up draft boards in recent weeks.
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Some people have Campbell going in the top five of the draft, but there is a chance he drops here to Chicago. The first year of Caleb Williams’ career did not go as planned, largely because of the poor offensive line play. Will Campbell could be the cornerstone tackle to support the franchise quarterback as the Bears look to build on last season.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Tetairoa McMillan is the best pure receiver in this draft (Travis Hunter is an enigma). The 49ers shipped out Deebo Samuel this offseason and they could immediately fill his old spot with McMillan.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Cowboys don’t have any great skill-position players outside of CeeDee Lamb. If they want to compete with Dak Prescott, they need to give him another pass catcher. Tyler Warren is an incredibly consistent tight end who could be the next great tight end in Dallas.
13. Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Dolphins need to shore up their offensive line to protect Tua Tagovailoa. Last season, their offense couldn’t function without their quarterback so they can’t afford to keep losing him for stretches every season.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Colts are in a strange place with their quarterback room. However, they could use a high-level wide receiver to help whoever will be playing quarterback and Golden could be that guy.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Falcons have a great offense, but they need to improve the defense to be real competitors in the NFC. Barron will immediately improve their secondary, playing alongside A.J. Terrell.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Cardinals have a lot of holes to fill and need to get the most talented players they can find. Williams could be that guy who takes their defense to the next level.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Bengals have one of the NFL’s best offenses but have major issues on defense. Malaki Starks is a do-everything safety who can instantly elevate this defense.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
The Seahawks brought in Sam Darnold to be their new quarterback and they need to protect their investment. Tyler Booker is a monster and could be a Week 1 starter in Seattle.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Buccaneers are another team with a high-level offense being held back by their defense at times. Nick Emmanwori is another do-it-all safety who can immediately make a huge impact on an NFL defense.
20. Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Denver overachieved in Bo Nix’s rookie year but needs to build on that momentum. Giving Nix another high-level target is a great way to improve next season. Egbuka is an experienced, sure-handed receiver who could be a great asset to Nix.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
With Egbuka off the board, the Steelers take the last first-round wide receiver talent. Burden is a great talent and would be a tremendous asset to whoever ends up playing quarterback for the Steelers next season.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Chargers need to help Justin Herbert before it’s too late. Loveland is a sure-handed tight end and his former college coach is Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh would love to add one of his old players and help out his quarterback.
23. Green Bay Packers: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Mike Green is a very popular name in draft circles. He is a tremendous athlete and proved himself with his high-level production at Marshall last season.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Vikings would love to add more talent to their defense and Maxwell Hairston put on a show at the NFL Combine.
25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Texans need to keep bolstering their offensive line to protect CJ Stroud. A fellow Buckeye is the perfect man for the job.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Rams could find their next Aaron Donald in the defensive tackle out of Ole Miss. Nolen is a monster and if he slips down the board this far, it would be a steal for Los Angeles.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Ravens have one of the best rosters in the NFL, but they could use a high-level pass rusher. Shemar Stewart is an incredible athlete and would fit in great in Baltimore.
28. Detroit Lions: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Jihaad Campbell is a perfect player for the Lions. They need help at linebacker and can develop Campbell, who is a bit of a project, to be a great contributor.
29. Washington Commanders: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
With one EDGE from A&M off the board, the Commanders will take the next one. Scourton is just below Stewart on my board but could still be an instant impact player in the NFL.
30. Buffalo Bills: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
When you have Josh Allen, it’s never a bad idea to bolster the offensive line. Zabel is a trendy name that has flown up draft boards in recent weeks and would fit in great in Buffalo.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
The Chiefs need to upgrade their offensive line. They were mauled by the Eagles’ defensive line in the Super Bowl and the line was a problem all season. Conerly Jr. is the perfect safe pick for the Chiefs in this spot.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
The Eagles love to draft defensive talent and plug them in wherever they see fit. Despite having a fantastic defense last season, they are losing Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat at EDGE. They are also likely to trade EDGE Bryce Huff. That leaves a need for more pass rushers, making Ezeiruaku the ideal pick.
