2025 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Quarterbacks Drop and Create Chaos in Round 1

We are less than one month away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and rumors are beginning to swirl. With the NFL Scouting Combine and the first wave of free agency in the rearview, it is time to update the draft landscape with another mock draft!

The rules for this mock are the same as always, but for those who are new:

1. This mock is based on what I project to happen as of this date, based upon what I am hearing. This is in no way based upon what I would do if I were the GM for each team.
2. Trades may be projected.
3. Mock drafts will get longer as the process unfolds. Mock 4.0 will go into Day 2 of the draft, and mock 5.0 will be a full seven-round projection.

Without further adieu, let’s dive in!

1. Titans- Cam Ward | QB | Miami

The Titans have not done anything noteworthy to address their need for a quarterback, and I do not believe the second-year coaching staff is willing to run it back with Will Levis and not add competition.

2. Browns- Abdul Carter | EDGE | Penn State

When you are stuck at the top of the draft without a great quarterback option, you take the best player available. I have Travis Hunter higher on my personal board, but Carter appears to be rated higher in league circles. He would make for a scary pairing with Myles Garrett.

3. Giants- Travis Hunter | CB/WR | Colorado

While it is unclear what the Giants’ plan is at quarterback, I am not currently convinced we see another one go this high. Hunter is a unicorn that I believe possesses the most upside at cornerback, where he can still be sprinkled in at receiver in special packages.

4. Patriots- Armand Membou | OT | Missouri

If Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter are both gone at 4, I anticipate the Patriots attempting to trade back. However, I find it hard to see a suitable trade partner at this moment. If they are stuck at 4, why not take the best offensive lineman in the draft?

5. Jaguars- Tyler Warren | TE | Penn State

I like Brenton Strange and believe he would be a great TE1 for the Jaguars, but new head coach Liam Coen likes running a good bit of 12-personnel, and Warren is one of the most complete tight ends that have entered the draft in quite some time.

6. Raiders- Ashton Jeanty | RB | Boise State

Taking a running back this high is not wise, in my opinion. However, Jeanty is a top-5 player in this class, and we know Pete Carrol loves to run the football. Thus, I anticipate them to prioritize the running back position more than I would.

7. Jets- Mason Graham | DT | Michigan

There have been rumors surrounding Graham and his draft stock potentially falling, but I struggle to see him dropping any further than this. He would make for an excellent pairing with Quinnen Williams along the interior of the defensive line.

8. Panthers- Shemar Stewart | EDGE | Texas A&M

Stewart is not the same type of pass rusher as Brian Burns, but he is one of the most talented prospects in the class, and the Panthers must do something to add to their pass rush. It was non-existent last season.

9. Saints- Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado

I understand the Saints appear to be high on Spencer Rattler, but considering how little they’ve invested into him, taking a quarterback cannot be out of the question. Derek Carr is still getting paid, but so is Kirk Cousins in Atlanta. If New Orleans is sold on Sanders, this could be an underrated landing spot. Kellen Moore has also worked with Dak Prescott, my comparison for Sanders.

***PROJECTED TRADE***
Cardinals receive Pick 10
Bears receive Picks 16, 78, and a 2026 4th round pick

10. *Cardinals (projected from Bears)- Will Campbell | OL | LSU

The Cardinals added several key defenders in free agency, but although they could afford to add more there, they need to focus on protecting Kyler Murray. Campbell’s arm length may be an issue at tackle, but the upside at guard is tremendous.

11. 49ers- Mykel Williams | EDGE | Georgia

Offensive line could be in play here as well for the Niners, but they need to find pass rush help opposite Nick Bosa for the long haul. Williams did not have an elite season, but the talent might justify a selection inside the top 12.

12. Cowboys- Omarion Hampton | RB | North Carolina

Wide Receiver and cornerback could also be in consideration here, and if I am making the pick, it is probably either Will Johnson or Matthew Golden. However, the Cowboys love their running backs, and scouts appear to be incredibly high on Hampton.

13. Dolphins- Jahdae Barron | CB | Texas

Miami needs to get stronger along the offensive line, but with no elite option available, they opt for a corner who can provide immediate slot help and be a long-term replacement for Jalen Ramsey on the perimeter.

14. Colts- Colston Loveland | TE | Michigan

The Colts need to give Anthony Richardson every tool possible to succeed, and Loveland is one of the most explosive tight ends you will find. His lack of production in 2024 was due primarily to poor quarterback play.

***PROJECTED TRADE***
Seahawks receive Pick 15
Falcons receive Picks 18 and 92

15. *Seahawks (projected from Falcons)- Will Johnson | CB | Michigan

I still believe Will Johnson is firmly a top 5-7 player in this class, but it appears as if his stock is dropping. If he falls this far on draft night, expect Mike McDonald to do anything he can to bring in this stud corner from a school he knows well.

16. *Bears (projected from Cardinals)- Nick Emmanwori | S | South Carolina

Kelvin Banks and Omarion Hampton would be intriguing if either happen to be on the board at this spot on draft night, but Kevin Byard is a free agent after 2025, and Jaquan Brisker has durability concerns. Emmanwori would take this secondary to a new level.

17. Bengals- Mike Green | EDGE | Marshall

The Bengals simply have to get help on defense at every level. Getting a premier sack artist like Mike Green would help soften the blow of a potential Trey Hendrickson trade.

18. *Falcons (projected from Seahawks)- Jalon Walker | EDGE | Georgia

I find it difficult to believe Walker would fall this far on draft night, but concerns about him being a “tweener” and not a true off-ball linebacker or EDGE rusher may be legitimate enough to cause a draft-night drop.

19. Buccaneers- Jihaad Campbell | LB | Alabama

Campbell is another player I have rated higher than this spot, and he is one of my favorite prospects in this class to watch. Tampa Bay needs to find a successor for Lavonte David, as they are not getting younger at the position.

***PROJECTED TRADE***
Texans receive Pick 20
Broncos receive Picks 25 and 89

20. *Texans (projected from Broncos)- Matthew Golden | WR | Texas

With Tank Dell likely out for some, if not all, of the 2025 season, the Texans need another option opposite Nico Collins. Golden has been on a meteoric rise since his blazing sub-4.3 40 at the combine.

21. Steelers- Derrick Harmon, Jr. | DL | Oregon

The Steelers could go multiple directions here, including a potential trade-back if another team opts to move up for Jaxson Dart. If they stay at 21, I imagine defensive line is on the top of the list of positions to address. Harmon’s ideal role in the NFL is still to be determined, but there is significant upside in a 5-technique role in Pittsburgh.

22. Chargers- James Pearce, Jr. | EDGE | Tennessee

If Colston Loveland falls this far, it makes too much sense not to predict. If he is gone, however, I could see the Chargers looking to the defensive side of the ball and adding youth and speed to the pass rush.

23. Packers- Azareye’h Thomas | CB | Florida State

I am not as big a fan of Thomas as many in the draft community, but the talent is undeniable, and Green Bay will likely have to replace Jaire Alexander.

***PROJECTED TRADE***
Giants receive Pick 24
Vikings receive Picks 34 and 65

24. *Giants (projected from Vikings)- Jaxson Dart | QB | Ole Miss

If the Giants are not sold on any quarterback enough to pull the trigger at Pick 3, perhaps they would entertain a trade-up scenario to get ahead of the Rams and secure a guy like Dart, who possesses the moxie needed to soak up the attention of the New York media. He gives Brian Daboll a fighting shot at keeping his job beyond 2025.

25. *Broncos (projected from Texans)- Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State

The Broncos roster is fairly complete, but they still need another difference-maker at wide receiver. Egbuka is a polished, mature receiver who will be a nice compliment to Courtland Sutton.

26. Rams- Aireontae Ersery | OT | Minnesota

Defensive back could certainly be in play here, but the Rams are not set at offensive tackle long-term. Ersery has aced the pre-draft process and has earned himself an opportunity to be taken on Night 1.

27. Ravens- Tyler Booker | G | Alabama

For what it is worth, I used ChatGPT to look up NFL Comparisons for Booker, and this is what it gave me:

Does ChatGPT know something about this somehow? Regardless, the Ravens need to add help at guard, and Booker is the best pure guard in the class.

28. Lions- Malaki Starks | S | Georgia

Safety is not a glaring hole for the Lions, but adding depth wouldn’t hurt, and a player with Starks’ versatility is too good to pass up. Pairing him with Brian Branch could give Detroit the ability to disguise coverages as good as any team in the NFL.

29. Commanders- Tetairoa McMillan | WR | Arizona

Could you imagine the reaction this would have gotten just two months ago? McMillan’s stock has slowly been on the decline, and most scouts hand-timed him at roughly 4.55 at his pro day. This may be enough to slide him down even further. Washington added Deebo Samuel already, but if they are committed to giving Jayden Daniels the best offense possible, they could go BPA here and take McMillan.

30. Bills- Maxwell Hairston | CB | Kentucky

Buffalo still lacks depth at the corner position following the trade of Kaiir Elam, and adding a player with Hairston’s upside may provide the best bang for their buck.

31. Chiefs- Kelvin Banks | OT | Texas

The Chiefs were not strong enough up front to give Patrick Mahomes a fighting chance in the Super Bowl, and the organization is smart enough not to let the same thing happen again.

32. Eagles- Kenneth Grant | DL | Michigan

Pairing Grant with Jordan Davis seems unfair, but the Eagles know what they are doing when it comes to building the defensive line. Grant is a plug-and-play starter who will keep Philly’s run defense a strength.

What are your thoughts on this mock draft? Be sure to share your thoughts on this mock and all things NFL Draft in the comment section below!