{"id":9463,"date":"2025-04-23T09:50:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T09:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=9463"},"modified":"2025-04-25T08:21:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T08:21:14","slug":"2025-nfl-draft-mock-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-mock-draft","title":{"rendered":"2025 NFL Draft: A Reasonable Mock Draft for Your Viewing Pleasure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/a.-football\">NFL<\/a> Draft is finally (almost) here. In just over 24 hours, we can put to rest whether or not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/steelers-foolish-draft-shedeur-sanders-21\">Shedeur Sanders deserves to slide<\/a> down the first round, who takes running back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/a.-football\/player\/ashton-jeanty-138720\">Ashton Jeanty<\/a>, and if the defensive line will dominate the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to put an end to pre-draft coverage is by doing a mock draft of the first round. Sure, it\u2019s an exercise in futility as these things can go millions of directions, and we are only offering one simulation that certainly won\u2019t be the real timeline we live in for 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But for fun, you can read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2024-nfl-draft-mock-draft-first-round\">my 2024 mock draft<\/a>, where I got about a quarter of the picks right in some fashion. I\u2019m sure Seahawks fans probably wish they got Jared Verse, the Defensive Rookie of the Year, instead of the Rams. I also sent wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to Buffalo in a trade, which would be looking much better than Keon Coleman right now. <em>C&#8217;est la vie.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, I decided not to include any trades and just run it straight through 1-32. I\u2019m not confident in much after the first three picks, but I think this is a good simulation for what teams maybe should do Thursday night. I\u2019m not anticipating anything as crazy as the Falcons using the No. 8 pick on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/a.-football\/player\/michael-penix-jr.-119386\">Michael Penix Jr.<\/a> last year, but that moment is why the draft is good TV and why it has such a huge impact on the future of the NFL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let the butterfly effect begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-tennessee-titans\">1. Tennessee Titans<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-cleveland-browns\">2. Cleveland Browns<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-new-york-giants\">3. New York Giants<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4-new-england-patriots\">4. New England Patriots<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-jacksonville-jaguars\">5. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#6-las-vegas-raiders\">6. Las Vegas Raiders<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#7-new-york-jets\">7. New York Jets<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#8-carolina-panthers\">8. Carolina Panthers<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#9-new-orleans-saints\">9. New Orleans Saints<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#10-chicago-bears\">10. Chicago Bears<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#11-san-francisco-49-ers\">11. San Francisco 49ers<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#12-dallas-cowboys\">12. Dallas Cowboys<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#13-miami-dolphins\">13. Miami Dolphins<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#14-indianapolis-colts\">14. Indianapolis Colts<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#15-atlanta-falcons\">15. Atlanta Falcons<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#16-arizona-cardinals\">16. Arizona Cardinals<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#17-cincinnati-bengals\">17. Cincinnati Bengals<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#18-seattle-seahawks\">18. Seattle Seahawks<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#19-tampa-bay-buccaneers\">19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#20-denver-broncos\">20. Denver Broncos<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#21-pittsburgh-steelers\">21. Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#22-los-angeles-chargers\">22. Los Angeles Chargers<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#23-green-bay-packers\">23. Green Bay Packers<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#24-minnesota-vikings\">24. Minnesota Vikings<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#25-houston-texans\">25. Houston Texans<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#26-los-angeles-rams\">26. Los Angeles Rams<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#27-baltimore-ravens\">27. Baltimore Ravens<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#28-detroit-lions\">28. Detroit Lions<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#29-washington-commanders\">29. Washington Commanders<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#30-buffalo-bills\">30. Buffalo Bills<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#31-kansas-city-chiefs\">31. Kansas City Chiefs<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#32-philadelphia-eagles\">32. Philadelphia Eagles<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-tennessee-titans\"><strong>1. Tennessee Titans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: QB Cam Ward, Miami<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s not make this one complicated. Will Levis is never going to be the answer in Tennessee, so you start fresh with the top-ranked prospect and quarterback in this class in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/a.-football\/player\/cam-ward-118848\">Cam Ward<\/a>, someone who has playmaking ability and hopefully won\u2019t turn the ball over in meme fashion on a weekly basis like Levis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This one sounds like a done deal, too, because Ward can\u2019t be delusional enough to think Calvin Ridley is a better wide receiver than A.J. Brown. You\u2019re only saying that if you know the Titans are paying you next season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u201cAJ Brown\u2019s a dog, but he\u2019s not Calvin Ridley.\u201d <br> <br>&#8211; Cam Ward<br><br>??????? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zkS8usN6nR\">pic.twitter.com\/zkS8usN6nR<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Max Loeb (@loebsleads) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/loebsleads\/status\/1912327271970484306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 16, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-cleveland-browns\"><strong>2. Cleveland Browns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: CB\/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Selfishly, I want to see Travis Hunter, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-travis-hunter\">draft\u2019s most intriguing prospect<\/a>, go to a better team than Cleveland. But it seems like he\u2019s going there with the hope that he can have an impact on both sides of the ball. He doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be WR1 or CB1 there this season, too, but he\u2019ll have high expectations as he tries to do something no one has in the modern game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2187635593-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 29: Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes jogs around the field to warm up before a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field on November 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado.\" class=\"wp-image-9471\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Dustin Bradford\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-new-york-giants\"><strong>3. New York Giants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, I personally think it\u2019d be much cooler to see the Browns pair Myles Garrett with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/a.-football\/player\/abdul-carter-125271\">Abdul Carter<\/a> and for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/a.-football\/player\/t.-hunter-140034\">Travis Hunter<\/a> to back up Malik Nabers and take over as the Giants\u2019 best corner. But the odds are pointing in the other direction for these two picks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carter could be the edge rusher the Giants need to pair with Brian Burns in a division where you have to slow down Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, and Dak Prescott.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-new-england-patriots\"><strong>4. New England Patriots<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: OT Will Campbell, LSU<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We get a little less chalky with the No. 4 pick, but it still feels like the right spot for Will Campbell in New England. Give Drake Maye a left tackle for hopefully the next decade, and he should be a major player in the running game, too. Mike Vrabel likes this pick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-jacksonville-jaguars\"><strong>5. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: DT Mason Grahm, Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now we\u2019ve truly reached the crossroads where things could go a variety of ways. Maybe the Jaguars aren\u2019t that intrigued by Mason Graham, the top-ranked defensive tackle who isn\u2019t going to be a sack machine like Aaron Donald was at that position. Maybe they think they can get by with their edge rushers and add a major talent elsewhere, like Ashton Jeanty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The odds are shifting to Jeanty going here, but I\u2019m sticking to the guns and stressing that interior pass rush is still important, and the Jaguars don\u2019t have it right now. They take Graham to help with that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-las-vegas-raiders\"><strong>6. Las Vegas Raiders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: RB Ashton Jeanty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is another interesting one as the Raiders could go a variety of ways, including Shedeur Sanders, who could learn from a good mentor in Geno Smith. But ultimately, I think Pete Carroll isn\u2019t in the business of waiting for a future quarterback to do something. He\u2019s going to give Geno the best back in the class and hope for a big impact like his best teams had with Reggie Bush (USC) and Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Offensive line could be an option too here as the Raiders may not feel they have the hogs up front to make the most of the Jeanty pick. But they also don\u2019t have anything threatening in the backfield at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2207537770-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ashton Jeanty #RB15 of Boise State stands on the field during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. \" class=\"wp-image-9468\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Brooke Sutton\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-new-york-jets\"><strong>7. New York Jets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: OT Armand Membou, Missouri<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re rolling with Justin Fields at quarterback, you have to understand he holds the ball as long as any quarterback. You&#8217;d better have a good tackle who can hold his blocks and do some damage in the run game. I see Armand Membou taking over at right tackle for the Jets here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-carolina-panthers\"><strong>8. Carolina Panthers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: LB Jalon Walker, Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Panthers are used to having a prominent off-ball linebacker from Sam Mills to Dan Morgan to Luke Kuechly to Shaq Thompson. Some like wide receiver for this pick, and I get that too, but I think they will take Georgia\u2019s Jalon Walker as the top player at his position in this class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-new-orleans-saints\"><strong>9. New Orleans Saints<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Part of this is so I don\u2019t have to actively root against Shedeur Sanders succeeding in Pittsburgh after just writing that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/steelers-foolish-draft-shedeur-sanders-21\">it\u2019d be a foolish move<\/a> for the Steelers to draft him at No. 21. So, let\u2019s make the pick where he doesn\u2019t slide that far and instead goes to the Saints, who have a new coach with no allegiance to Derek Carr, who may not be healthy (shoulder) for 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sanders would have a better mixture of weapons and offensive coaching around him in the Superdome than he\u2019d have in Pittsburgh. It\u2019s the best spot for him in a winnable division, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2208032013-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Shedeur Sanders #QB13 of Colorado speaks at the podium during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.\" class=\"wp-image-9466\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> (Photo by Brooke Sutton\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-chicago-bears\"><strong>10. Chicago Bears<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another one of my favorite picks in the draft, just because of all the directions the Bears could go. Some have said tight end Tyler Warren, but I like Cole Kmet too much for that. Some have said they trade up for Ashton Jeanty, but my gut says Ben Johnson is a smart guy who realizes Detroit\u2019s running game worked so well because of the blocking up front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chicago isn\u2019t settled yet in the offensive line, which brought the offense down last year. Kelvin Banks Jr. is gaining steam as the third-best tackle in this class, and I think that\u2019s where the Bears ultimately go here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-san-francisco-49-ers\"><strong>11. San Francisco 49ers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: ILB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 49ers have had great front-seven players for about 15-20 years now. But after losing Dre Greenlaw, there\u2019s a void there that they could fill by drafting Alabama\u2019s Jihaad Campbell and putting him next to Fred Warner. The pick should be on defense for this team, and this makes the most sense to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-dallas-cowboys\"><strong>12. Dallas Cowboys<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/a.-football\/team\/dallas-cowboys-6661\">Cowboys<\/a> could go in a few directions, but I think if you\u2019re paying Dak Prescott that top-level money, you give him a shot with a better WR2 than what they have now behind CeeDee Lamb. Tetairoa McMillan is considered the best full-time wide receiver (read: not Travis Hunter) in this class, and he\u2019d be a good complement to what Lamb brings to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-miami-dolphins\"><strong>13. Miami Dolphins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: CB Will Johnson, Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Dolphins could be shipping corner Jalen Ramsey off, so getting a young replacement would be a smart move to help them not get cooked so badly by Josh Allen twice a year every year. Johnson is the top non-Travis Hunter corner for many in this draft, so it feels like a logical fit for a team that probably should focus on non-skill players here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14-indianapolis-colts\"><strong>14. Indianapolis Colts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I believe I tried giving the Colts Brock Bowers last year, but the Raiders beat them to it. It just feels like the Colts haven\u2019t had a really good, reliable tight end since Dallas Clark, and Tyler Warren reminds me a bit of him. This pick may not be the best move with Anthony Richardson there, but Warren is a big target and could be a safety net for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At worst, the next quarterback in Indy will have a good tight end to throw to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"15-atlanta-falcons\"><strong>15. Atlanta Falcons<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is another pick that\u2019s \u201cmaking up\u201d for last year when everyone thought the Falcons would draft a top-ranked edge rusher at No. 8 instead of Michael Penix Jr. But if your quarterback is going to succeed, he\u2019ll need a better defense than what Raheem Morris had to work with in his first year on the job. Enter Mykel Williams, an edge rusher from Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep him in the state, Atlanta, as this should kick off a run of edge rushers, who are considered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-defensive-line-edge\">the deepest and best position group<\/a> in this draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"16-arizona-cardinals\"><strong>16. Arizona Cardinals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: Edge Shemar Stewart, Texas A&amp;M<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We know the Cardinals have some really impressive athletes at the skill positions. But they lack that talent on defense. Despite signing Josh Sweat (Eagles) in free agency, more work can be done for a team that had one player reach 5.0 sacks last year. Let\u2019s give Shemar Stewart to Jonathan Gannon, who saw his 2022 Eagles produce 70 sacks with their pass rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"17-cincinnati-bengals\"><strong>17. Cincinnati Bengals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: Edge Mike Green, Marshall<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bengals need to use the draft to find their offensive linemen and defensive needs after spending so much on their wide receivers. Even if they\u2019re keeping Trey Hendrickson in town, they still obviously need more on defense to make the playoffs again. Mike Green has some off-field history to consider, but that hasn\u2019t stopped the Bengals in the past from drafting a talented player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"18-seattle-seahawks\"><strong>18. Seattle Seahawks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He might have gone higher if he hadn\u2019t injured his knee last year. But I think Josh Simmons is still a top 20 pick and winds up in Seattle for a new-look offense with Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"19-tampa-bay-buccaneers\"><strong>19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Buccaneers don\u2019t have a lot of glaring needs, but you can never have enough good corners in this game. They were getting cooked by Washington\u2019s Dyami Brown in that playoff loss. I think you give Todd Bowles one of the top corners in this draft in Jahdae Barron, and should feel good about that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"20-denver-broncos\"><strong>20. Denver Broncos<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Broncos keep getting connected to running backs, and it makes sense. Sean Payton has always been enthralled with the position of Reggie Bush and Mark Ingram in his New Orleans days. I\u2019m still not sure they need to use a first-round pick on one this year, but Omarion Hampton seems to be the consensus choice for the next back after Jeanty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2168496756-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 25:  Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos walks along the sideline during the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Empower Field at Mile High on August 25, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. \" class=\"wp-image-8855\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Dustin Bradford\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"21-pittsburgh-steelers\"><strong>21. Pittsburgh Steelers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone wants to mock a quarterback to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/a.-football\/team\/pittsburgh-steelers-6761\">Steelers<\/a> since they still haven\u2019t signed Aaron Rodgers, which should have zero bearing on this draft, given his age. He\u2019s not your future, even if he does finally sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the latest craze is that the Steelers will draft Shedeur Sanders at No. 21, which I strongly disagree with. Then there\u2019s been links to Jaxson Dart, and some have talked about Alabama\u2019s Jalen Milroe going this high to Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think the Steelers say forget about a first-round quarterback, and they make their usual move of taking a front-seven player in Derrick Harmon, who can be their future replacement for Cam Heyward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"22-los-angeles-chargers\"><strong>22. Los Angeles Chargers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I originally had Kenneth Grant going here as another Michigan player, but I think it\u2019s a Michigan player for Jim Harbaugh. I\u2019m giving Justin Herbert another weapon as maybe Colston Loveland can pair with Ladd McConkey as Herbert\u2019s new reliable duo in the passing game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, you don\u2019t want Loveland hanging around long enough in the draft to where the Chiefs can take him as their Travis Kelce replacement at No. 31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"23-green-bay-packers\"><strong>23. Green Bay Packers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: WR Matthew Golden, Texas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The streak is over. For the first time <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WalkJa00.htm\">since Javon Walker<\/a> in 2002, the Packers will use a first-round pick on a wide receiver with the draft held in Green Bay, too. Matthew Golden is a speedster from Texas who gives a new dimension to this receiving corps, which has battled too many injuries (Christian Watson) and disappearing acts from Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Give Jordan Love a high-end target who has a chance to develop into a good starter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"24-minnesota-vikings\"><strong>24. Minnesota Vikings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: SAF Malaki Starks, Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Harrison Smith is still going strong at 36 years old, but it could be a draft where the Vikings look towards the future at safety. Malaki Starks is in a close battle with Nick Emmanwori for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-linebacker-safety\">top safety<\/a> in this class, but I think Starks is the fundamentally sound choice for Brian Flores\u2019 defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"25-houston-texans\"><strong>25. Houston Texans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It might be a luxury pick, but the Texans have a lot of solutions for their roster already in place. Wide receiver was supposed to be one of them, but injuries to Stefon Diggs (now in New England) and Tank Dell (out for the year) changed that plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why I think you keep C.J. Stroud happy by reuniting him with Emeka Egbuka, who had his best season at Ohio State in 2022 with Stroud as his quarterback. That\u2019s a good answer for a WR2 behind Nico Collins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"26-los-angeles-rams\"><strong>26. Los Angeles Rams<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For some intrigue, the Rams will take a quarterback in Jaxson Dart. Matthew Stafford is 37 years old, which makes him one of the oldest quarterbacks in the NFL today. This is a pick for the future with a team that\u2019s built to win now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could say they should take another young pass rusher, offensive lineman, or a corner here instead, but I think you make this pick for life after Stafford, as Dart is someone who can learn well from Sean McVay. Also, the Rams have loaded up on young pass rushers in recent drafts, and they\u2019re set at wideout with Davante Adams joining Puka Nacua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"27-baltimore-ravens\"><strong>27. Baltimore Ravens<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe John Harbaugh gives his brother Jim a call to check on another Michigan prospect here. But I think the Ravens beef up the defensive line with the other half of that great interior from Michigan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"28-detroit-lions\"><strong>28. Detroit Lions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Grey Zabel is a top-ranked guard with versatility in this draft. That makes him feel like a \u201ckneecap eater\u201d for Dan Campbell for a team that\u2019s probably going to make sure the offensive line is still in tip-top shape after losing the creativity of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"29-washington-commanders\"><strong>29. Washington Commanders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jayden Daniels should be trusted to handle his business on offense after arguably the best rookie quarterback season in NFL history. But he needs a better defense if this team is going to topple Philadelphia in the division and set themselves up for a better path to the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You give Dan Quinn talent on defense, and someone like Donovan Ezeiruaku was ridiculously productive at Boston College last year. Give the Commanders an edge rusher here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"30-buffalo-bills\"><strong>30. Buffalo Bills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar to Washington, the Bills came up short on Championship Sunday. If you\u2019re going to get over the hump (Kansas City in the playoffs), you have to find someone who can put pressure on Patrick Mahomes without sending a blitz. That\u2019s why I like the speed of James Pearce Jr. as an undersized edge rusher for the Bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can\u2019t just stop at adding Joey Bosa, who is often injured. Add another edge rusher here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"31-kansas-city-chiefs\"><strong>31. Kansas City Chiefs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We know if the Chiefs ever get back to a Super Bowl soon, that\u2019ll mark six left tackles in six Super Bowls in the Patrick Mahomes era. It\u2019d be nice to find a reliable player who can last multiple contracts in Kansas City to protect the blindside of Patrick Mahomes as he goes into his 30s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe Josh Conerly Jr. is a developmental pick, but they have the time to do it after signing Jaylon Moore (49ers) in the offseason. They tried drafting Kingsley Suamataia last year and pulled the plug early after he struggled. Maybe his future is at guard. With Conerly, they can take their time and work him into a starting tackle position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"32-philadelphia-eagles\"><strong>32. Philadelphia Eagles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Pick: DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rich get richer. The Eagles lost some of that defensive line (Josh Sweat and Milton Williams), so look for them to take advantage of this draft class and find another key piece. Walter Nolen is explosive and kept improving in college. You line him up next to Jalen Carter, and the Eagles should be set again with their interior pass rush, one of a quarterback\u2019s worst nightmares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s a wrap on the first round. We\u2019ll come back Friday to see what really went down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2613\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/mock_draft_39baa759-6863-4678-acf3-fae52923d69c_round_1_front.png\" alt=\"NFL Draft Mock Draft\n\" class=\"wp-image-9465\" style=\"width:708px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related Articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/steelers-foolish-draft-shedeur-sanders-21\">Why the Pittsburgh Steelers Would Be Foolish to Draft Shedeur Sanders at No. 21 in the 2025 NFL Draft<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-travis-hunter\">2025 NFL Draft Preview: Is Travis Hunter a Modern Marvel or a Future Failed Experiment?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-defensive-line-edge\">2025 NFL Draft Preview: The Defensive Line and Edge Rushers Are the Cream of the Crop<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-cornerbacks\">2025 NFL Draft Preview: The Best Cornerbacks Not Named Travis Hunter<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-linebacker-safety\">2025 NFL Draft Preview: Don\u2019t Sleep on the Linebacker and Safety Classes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-top-10-offensive-line\">2025 NFL Draft Preview: The Top 10 Offensive Line Prospects<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-jeanty-running-back\">2025 NFL Draft Preview: Ashton Jeanty to Lead the Rebirth of the Running Back?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-wide-receiver\">2025 NFL Draft Preview: Meet the Best Wide Receivers Not Named Travis Hunter<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/julio-jones-retires-jerry-rice-nfl-records\">Julio Jones Retires: More Proof Jerry Rice\u2019s NFL Records Look Unbeatable in 2025<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-tight-end\">2025 NFL Draft Preview: Tyler Warren and the Value of a Great Tight End<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-draft-preview-quarterback\">2025 NFL Draft Preview: Don\u2019t Expect a Deep Quarterback Class Like 2024<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/nfl-super-bowl-odds-post-free-agency\">Where Every NFL Team Stands After Free Agency: Super Bowl 60 Odds Update<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/bengals-wide-receivers-2025-cap\">Bengals Bungle Team Building 101: Your Franchise QB Shouldn\u2019t Need the Most Expensive Wide Receiver Duo in NFL History<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-free-agency-update\">2025 NFL Free Agency Update: Still Waiting on Aaron Rodgers to Decide<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-free-agency-preview\">2025 NFL Free Agency: The Moves Already Made and Those Still to Come<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/nfl-turnover-regression-in-2025\">Will the NFL See Turnover Regression in 2025, And What Does It Mean for Teams Like the Bills and Eagles?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/nfl-should-ban-the-tush-push\">The NFL Should Ban the Tush Push for 2025<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/do-nfl-teams-blueprint-beat-chiefs-mahomes\">Do NFL Teams Have a Great Blueprint to Beat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in 2025?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/2025-nfl-quarterbacks-predictions\">2025 NFL Season: Predicting the New Starting Quarterbacks from Aaron Rodgers to Cameron Ward<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/super-bowl-blowout-chiefs-sb60-odds\">Anatomy of a Super Bowl Blowout: Where the Chiefs and Eagles Go from Here and Super Bowl 60 Odds<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2025 NFL Draft is finally (almost) here. In just over 24 hours, we can put to rest whether or not Shedeur Sanders deserves to slide down the first round, who takes running back Ashton Jeanty, and if the defensive line will dominate the night. The best way to put an end to pre-draft coverage &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":9472,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[3434,3388,3343,692,332,735,1943,368,734,652,47,331,1581],"class_list":["post-9463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl","tag-abdul-carter","tag-ashton-jeanty","tag-cam-ward","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-dallas-cowboys","tag-jacksonville-jaguars","tag-michael-penix-jr","tag-ncaaf","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-new-york-giants","tag-nfl","tag-tennessee-titans","tag-travis-hunter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}