2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Jets Trade Up For Jaxson Dart in Round 1
I am not going to bore you with a long opening monologue, today. I want to talk some NFL Draft, so let’s dive head first!
As it pertains to the mock draft, the rules have not changed from previous years. My mock drafts are a projection of what I think will happen based on what I am hearing and believe makes sense. This is not necessarily a reflection of what I would do if I was the general manager. Mock 2.0 will be just one round long, but we will expand this as we get closer to the draft. Trades are projected where necessary.
Additional analysis of this mock draft may be found by listening to the Draft Dynasty podcast on the FFSN podcast feed this Friday. You can check out last week’s episode HERE.
Be sure to share your thoughts on this mock in the comment section below, but without further adieu, let’s take a look at Wilbar’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0!
1. Titans- Cam Ward | QB | Miami
2. Browns- Travis Hunter | CB/WR | Colorado
3. Giants- Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado
4. Patriots- Abdul Carter | EDGE | Penn State
5. Jaguars- Mason Graham | DL | Michigan
6. Raiders- Will Johnson | CB | Michigan
7. Jets- Shemar Stewart | DL/EDGE | Texas A&M
8. Panthers- Tetairoa McMillan | WR | Arizona
9. Saints- Kelvin Banks | OT | Texas
10. Bears- Will Campbell | OT/G | LSU
I do not have Ward and Sanders rated as high as I have them going, but the high demand for quarterbacks will likely push them up the board. The Browns could be in the QB mix too, yet their situation may be better suited for a free agent such as Sam Darnold. The Patriots, Raiders, and Jets all need help along the offensive line, but with no bona fide top lineman to pick, they all opt for key defenders. I do not have Shemar Stewart in my top 12 prospects currently, but he is a riser who will test extremely well at the combine and likely shoot up boards.
11. 49ers- Josh Simmons | OT | Ohio State
12. Cowboys- Mykel Williams | EDGE | Georgia
***PROJECTED TRADE***
Bengals receive Picks 13 and 226
Dolphins receive Picks 17 and 81
13. *Bengals- Tyler Warren | TE | Penn State
14. Colts- Colston Loveland | TE | Michigan
15. Falcons- Mike Green | EDGE | Marshall
16. Cardinals- Josh Conerly, Jr. | OT | Oregon
17. *Dolphins (projected from Bengals)- Malaki Starks | S | Georgia
18. Seahawks- Ashton Jeanty | RB | Boise State
19. Buccaneers- Jalon Walker | LB | Georgia
20. Broncos- Luther Burden III | WR | Missouri
The 49ers have the unique opportunity to draft a top-level talent at left tackle outside the top 10. If they want to keep that position strong for the future, taking a guy like Simmons makes a lot of sense. Green and Conerly both had strong showings at the Senior Bowl, and they both hold high expectations upon participating at the combine. The tight end position will be a fun one to monitor, considering the strong depth we have at the position this year. Expect the run on tight ends to being around Pick 13 or 14. The Seahawks have several capable running backs on the roster, but health has been a major setback. With no prime offensive lineman bringing great value at Pick 18, they opt for the running back instead.
***PROJECTED TRADE***
Lions receive Picks 21 and 231
Steelers receive Pick 28 and a 2026 2nd
21. *Lions- James Pearce, Jr. | EDGE | Tennessee
22. Chargers- Elijah Arroyo | TE | Miami
23. Packers- Jahdae Barron | CB | Texas
24. Vikings- Walter Nolen | DL | Ole Miss
25. Texans- Tyler Booker | G | Alabama
26. Rams- Armand Membou | OT | Missouri
27. Ravens- Jihaad Campbell | ILB | Alabama
28. *Steelers (projected from Lions)- Kenneth Grant | DT | Michigan
29. Commanders- Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State
30. Bills- Nick Emmanwori | S | South Carolina
31. Chiefs- Grey Zabel | G | North Dakota State
***PROJECTED TRADE***
Jets receive Pick 32
Eagles receive Picks 42 and 92
32. *Jets- Jaxson Dart | QB | Ole Miss
The Lions desperately need more depth behind Aidan Hutchinson at EDGE rusher, and if the pool of talent dries up quickly, they may be forced to move up in order to secure an elite talent at the position. Barron and Nolen are two of the most underappreciated prospects in this class, and if they perform well at the combine, they will not be likely to fall into the 20s. The Steelers need help at receiver, but the front office seems to be emphasizing the importance of building in the trenches, and after the most recent Super Bowl, how could you argue otherwise? Egbuka and Emmanwori are both rated higher than 29 and 30 on my big board, but they are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. The schematic and system fit will likely play a huge role as to how high they can go. Lastly, the most eye-opening selection in this mock draft is the selection of Jaxson Dart. Aaron Rodgers is unlikely to return to New York, leaving the starting quarterback job wide open for the taking. Dart is still raw, but he has the savvy to handle the pressure of the New York media and fanbase.
Be sure to check out full analysis of this mock draft on the Draft Dynasty podcast this Friday, only on the FFSN podcast feed. You can check out last week’s episode HERE.
What are your thoughts on this mock draft? Do you think your team’s selection makes sense? Be sure to share your thoughts on this and all things NFL Draft in the comment section below!
I’m all for a good ol’ fashioned trade down, but I also want to see what FA does with the Steelers team needs…
I agree, a lot is going to change for sure with team needs. Investing in the trenches and getting a true WR2 would be the priorities for me.
Would not be the worst thing in the world. However, really hard to see them trade down that far. Tomlin has stated they only consider a trade down if one of their guys will definitely be there. To say skipping 7 spots and your guys is there is not a given.
It’s certainly possible what you are saying is true, but I believe that was more the Steelers philosophy when Colbert was GM. I think the new front office has more bold approach that ultimately makes the decisions at the end of the day.
Here’s the draft I’d like to see right now:
1. Kenneth Grant or Walter Nolen
2. Shavon Revel
3. Oronde Gadsden II
4. Will Howard
5. Kalel Mullings
7. Grab at least one more WR here.
1. I think DL is gonna be a huge need this coming season. Might as well go there first.
2. Revel looks like a nice corner and that’s a need for sure.
3. Gadsden might drop lower than this, but he’s a big hybrid TE/WR that’s really good over the middle of the field and he’s got some speed for his size. Smith likes to use a lot of TEs and the Steelers need WRs. So why not get a guy that’s kinda Both?
4. Might as well take a shot on a QB here.
5. RB is a need.
Free Agent Wish List:
Darius Slayton (projected to get a 16M/yr contract)
Levi Onwuzurike (projected to get up to 15M/year)(I like Milton Williams more, but there might be a bidding war there.)
Byron Murphy (projected around 17M/year)
J.K. Dobbins (and keeping Warren)(projected between 4-7M/yr)
That’s a lot of the Steelers cap space, but I could see them making the necessary financial moves to pull this off.
Maybe you guys won’t agree, but I think it’d be a solid offseason. I didn’t care so much about drafting a top receiver because that should be addressed in FA while still having Pickens, Austin, Wilson, maybe Skowronek, and three 7th round picks to play with. Plus Gadsden is a glorified receiver with a big body, who can line up more places than just TE, and there should be at least one free agent to add to the room.
I forgot to put Daniel Jones on my FA wish list… better than Fields, cheaper than Wilson, and my (totally irrelevant) choice for Steelers QB in 2025.
Gotta strongly disagree about Fields. I still think he can be a top 12 QB in this league, and I’d argue he’s top 16 right now. Daniel Jones is hardly top 25. He had more weapons than Fields did in an offense Jones didn’t have to learn this offseason. If the Steelers let Justin be Justin, he will be fine.
That’s fair, but Jones hits the eye test better for me as an NFL QB, and he’s definitely a better pure passer and a fair runner. Fields is the opposite. I wouldn’t be mad with either one. It’s all subjective until we see how next season goes down.
For sure. I just think Fields is not as bad a passer as we think, because the coaching staff is forcing him to overthink everything. They won’t take the leash off.
I like the creativity. I agree Gadsden is probably a Day 2 pick. Not the biggest Mullings guy even though I’m a Michigan fan, but I like the range you have us taking RB. A lot of good RBs will still be there. Revel is a CB1 talent, so in Round 2 he’d be great value. And I love Grant and Nolen.
Yeah, at that point in the draft it becomes insert RB here, because it’s a crap shoot either way. I like a couple other guys in that same spot. Thanks for checking it out!
Absolutely. I think RB is the only position that is fair to expect a starter from past Round 4. You can find good starting RBs in the late rounds, especially this year.